Iraq War order of battle 2009

SGT Karl King and PFC David Valenzuela lay down cover fire while their squad maneuvers down a street from behind the cover of a Stryker combat vehicle to engage gunmen who fired on their convoy in Al Doura, Iraq, on March 7, 2007. The soldiers are from Company C, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Below is an estimated list of the major units deployed within the Multi-National Force - Iraq and other U.S. military units operating in Iraq under United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).

In military terms, the description of the units involved in an operation is known as the order of battle (ORBAT). NATO and the U.S. Department of Defense define the order of battle as the identification, strength, command structure, and disposition of the personnel, units, and equipment of any military force.

Overall chain of command

From September 2008 to 31 December 2009, the overall military commander in Iraq was General Raymond T. Odierno, Commander, Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) who reported to United States Central Command. MNF-I replaced Combined Joint Task Force 7 in May 2004. MNF-I consisted of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I), and the Joint Contracting Command, Iraq/Afghanistan (JCCIA).

On January 1, 2010, Multi-National Force Iraq became United States Forces - Iraq.

Special Operations Task Forces

Special Forces of Task Force 20 in Mosul during Uday and Qusay's last stand. Delta Force Operators can be seen in front of the 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment soldiers wearing MICH helmets.

There is a distinction in United States military terms between the troops of Multinational Force-Iraq and forces which fall directly under CENTCOM's control but are in Iraq also. There are two special operations task forces operating in Iraq, Task Force 77 and CJSOTF-AP. Though TF 77, a 'black' force, does not answer to MNF-Iraq, it is included here for the sake of completeness of the U.S. forces operating within Iraq. TF 77 is under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command and its principal mission is to hunt down the leaders of al Qaeda in Iraq.[1]

The second force, which appears to be separate from TF 77, is the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP). CJSOTF-AP is a "white," or unclassified, special operations task force that as of 2008 was always organized around the headquarters of either 5th Special Forces Group or 10th Special Forces Group.[4] Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP), itself answers to Special Operations Command Central.

Joint Base Balad

Located approximately 40 miles north of Baghdad, Joint Base Balad was home to the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force's 332d Air Expeditionary Wing and the U.S. Army’s 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), which was responsible for providing logistics support to U.S. and British units throughout Iraq. It was formerly known as Logistics Support Area Anaconda, the largest Army supply center in Iraq.

Order Of Battle as of 2009

Unless otherwise noted, all units were American. This order of battle extends to battalion level and lists maneuver units only; artillery, support, special operations, and advisory units are not listed. Many brigade combat teams (BCTs) lent battalions to other BCTs during the course of their deployments, giving them "operational control" of those units. In such cases, the battalion's name is followed by "OPCON." Many higher-echelon units have two or more designations, often the formal unit around which the formation is based and then the name of the provisional task force; in these cases, both names are included, separated by a slash. Units were stationed at a variety of bases, including Forward Operating Bases (FOB), Contingency Operating Bases (COB) and Joint Security Stations (JSS).

Multi-National Corps - Iraq

(Gen. Raymond Odierno)—Camp Victory, Baghdad

Multi-National Division Baghdad

1st Cavalry Division (Maj. Gen. Daniel P. Bolger)—Camp Victory, Baghdad
 Also known as Task Force Baghdad, this division headquarters was provided by the 1st Cavalry Division. The division's area of responsibility (AOR) was the city of Baghdad. MND-B headquarters was previously provided by HQ 1st Armored Division (2003–2004), HQ 1st Cavalry Division (2004–2005), HQ 3rd Infantry Division (2005–2006), HQ 4th Infantry Division (2006) and HQ 1st Cavalry Division (2007).

Multi-National Division South

34th Infantry Division - (Maj. Gen. Rick C. Nash)—Contingency Operating Base Basra [18]
 Multi-National Division South, also known as Task Force Mountain, assisted the Iraqi Armed Forces with security in the area south of Baghdad ranging from Najaf to Wasit provinces extending to Basra. MND-South headquarters was provided by the 10th Mountain Division (Light) from Fort Drum, New York. The areas south of Baghdad were previously organized into Multi-National Division-Center, under U.S. leadership, and Multi-National Division (South East), which was provided by the British Army. The areas were merged into MND-South on March 31, 2009, to reflect the departure of Britain from Iraq.[19] MND-Center took in portions of the area previously controlled by the long-disbanded Polish-led Multi-National Division Central-South.

The 34th Division transferred control of MND/USD-South to the 1st Infantry Division on February 2, 2010.

Multi-National Division North

25th Infantry Division/TF Lightning (Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr.)[27]—COB Speicher, Tikrit

This division headquarters was provided by the 25th Infantry Division and was also known as Task Force Lightning. Its area of responsibility included the cities of Balad, Kirkuk, Tikrit, Mosul, and Samarra. It was based at Contingency Operating Base Speicher outside Tikrit, where one of its brigades was also stationed. It also had one brigade based in Mosul, one in Kirkuk, one at Taji, and one in Baqubah.

Multi-National Force West

Multi-National Force West.

II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) (Maj. Gen. Richard T. Tryon) — Al Asad Airbase[32]

This formation headquarters was provided by the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). It covered western Iraq, including Al Anbar Governorate and the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, the area where Iraq's Sunni insurgency was at its strongest. Headquartered first at Camp Fallujah and then at Al Asad Airbase.

United States Naval forces in Iraq

The United States Navy Riverine Squadrons of the United States Navy are elements of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) that have taken active part in the land operations in support of the Army and USMC units. According to the Navy: “The Navy’s Riverine force focuses on conducting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation in a riverine area of operations or other suitable area. The force is capable of combating enemy riverine forces by applying fires directly, or by coordinating supporting fires. It will share battle space with the other Services in an effort to close the seams in Doctrine, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.”[33]

As of 2008, three riverine squadrons are active in the Navy, all under the command of Riverine Group 1, located in Norfolk, Virginia. Riverine Squadron 1 (RIVRON 1) deployed to Iraq in April 2007 and was relieved by Riverine Squadron 2 (RIVRON 2) in October 2007.[34] Riverine Squadron 3 (RIVRON 3) was established in July 2007[35] and will presumably relieve RIVRON 2 in Iraq when their deployment is completed. Also deployed to Iraq, but in support of CJSOTF-AP and TF-77, is Combat Camera Group Pacific/Atlantic. This unit provides highly trained combat photographers who integrate with SEAL Teams and Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) Teams in order to provide intelligence collection and combat documentation.

Deployments in Autumn 2009-2010

Other nations contributing to MNF-I

United Kingdom

The British were the second-largest contributor of foreign troops to Iraq, behind the United States. The British military commanded the former Multi-National Division (South-East) (Iraq), which included UK, Italian, Australian, Romanian, Danish, Portuguese, Czech and Lithuanian troops. However, the British turned over command to the United States on March 31, 2009, and are now in the process of withdrawing the 4,100 UK personnel based in and around Basra, leaving behind just 400 by the end of July 2009.[38] The 20 Armoured Brigade commands the British forces in Iraq, which are now attached the U.S.-led Multi-National Division South.[39]

Australia

Australia Defence Forces currently has about 100 personnel providing security for the Australian Embassy in Baghdad. Known as Joint Task Force 633, it consists mainly of infantry, cavalry, military police and combat service support personnel from the Darwin-based 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The ADF also has 45 personnel embedded in various coalition headquarters and contributes two officers to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).[40]

Romania

'The Romanian Army currently has one battalion deployed to Iraq. The 26th Infantry Battalion, based at Contingency Operating Base Adder near Nasiriyah, is attached to the 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division and performs convoy and key infrastructure security missions.

NATO Training Mission – Iraq

The NATO Training Mission – Iraq is not a combat mission but is focused on training and mentoring Iraq Security Forces and the Iraqi National Police.[41] It is supported and funded by all 28 NATO nations and 14 nations have staff in theater as of January 2009, including Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Ukraine participates alongside these nations, though it is not a member of NATO.[42]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Army Times, SF presence may grow in combat areas, February 2008
  2. ↑ Sean Naylor, Closing in on Zarqawi, Army Times, May 8, 2006
  3. ↑ Thomas Harding, SAS trooper shot dead in al-Qa'eda raid, The Telegraph, March 27, 2008
  4. ↑ SF presence may grow in combat areas, 2008
  5. ↑ I Corps Soldiers relieve Fort Bragg troops , Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, April 4, 2009
  6. ↑ "mnf-iraq.com". Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  7. ↑ Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, Halfway point in Iraq: Around the 32nd Brigade , 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team PAO, September 7, 2009
  8. ↑ "DVIDS - News - 1-102 Cavalry takes over FOB Bucca headquarters mission". DVIDS. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "4th Sustainment Brigade Conducts Battle Handoff" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Gregg K. Kakesako, High-tech training benefits isle Guard, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, October 21, 2008
  11. ↑ "Texas Arrowhead Soldiers Bid 'adios' As 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Takes Reins" (Press release). Story Multi-National Corps – Baghdad PAO. 2009-08-01. Retrieved 2009-08-31.
  12. ↑ "'Independence Brigade' Assumes Mission North of Baghdad" (Press release). Multi-National Corps – Baghdad PAO. 2006-02-24. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  13. ↑ "DVIDS - News - Dagger Brigade replaces Strike Brigade during Transfer of Authority ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  14. ↑ Sgt. Daniel Nichols, Relief in Place Begins Between Iron Brigade and Old Hickory, 2nd BCT, 1AD PAO, May 9, 2009
  15. ↑ "mnf-iraq.com". Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  16. ↑ 2nd Lt. Scott Lewis, Black Knights Assume Mission in Adhamiyah, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office, February 13, 2009
  17. ↑ Sgt. Alun Thomas, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Takes to the Skies Over Baghdad, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs, June 3, 2009
  18. ↑ By Teri Weaver, 34th ID takes over civil mission in Basra, Stars and Stripes, May 22, 2009
  19. ↑ British withdrawal from Basra begins, United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, April 1, 2009
  20. ↑ (Press release). Story 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division PAO. 2009-03-06 http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=30949. Retrieved 2009-04-16. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ "Vanguard Bde transfers authority to 172nd Infantry Bde" (Press release). Story Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO. 2008-12-26. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, Warhorse brigade moves to Basra, Warhorse Rider, May 2009
  23. ↑ 1st Lt. Christopher Dunphy, 17th Fires Brigade Assumes Command in Basra, DVIDS, August 27, 2009
  24. ↑ Sgt. Matthew Jones, Pennsylvania National Guard's 28th Combat Aviation Brigade Assumes Authority of Multi-National Division - South Aviation Operations, 28th CAB Public Affairs Office, May 12, 2009
  25. ↑ Sgt. Matthew Jones, Task Force Keystone Departs for Kuwait, 28th CAB Public Affairs Office, April 11, 2009
  26. ↑ Capt. Katherine Zyla, 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Attack Reconnaissance Battalion Adapts Aviation Support to Theater Conditions, Multi-National Division-Central Public Affairs Office, February 16, 2009
  27. ↑ "1st Armored Division begins mission in Iraq" (Press release). Story Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO. 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
  28. ↑ "Fort Hood units transfer authority during at FOB Marez" (Press release). Story Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO. 2009-01-19. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  29. ↑ 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division hands over Diyala Province to 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – North PAO, September 14, 2009
  30. ↑ "Broncos Replace Screaming Eagles in Iraq" (Press release). Story 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division PAO. 2008-11-24. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  31. ↑ Sarah M. Rivette, Aviation brigade heading to Iraq, Watertown Daily Times, October 5, 2008
  32. ↑ MULTI NATIONAL FORCE – WEST FACT SHEET - OIF 09-01 (Accurate as of 30 June 2009)
  33. ↑ U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command: “Riverine: About Us”
  34. ↑ This story was written Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Suits, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic. "RIVRON 1 Sailors Return Home". Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  35. ↑ This story was written Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Matthew D. Leistikow, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic. "NECC Establishes Riverine Squadron 3". Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  36. ↑ "DoD Announces Units for Next Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 37.7 "DoD Announces Upcoming Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation" (Press release). U.S. Department of Defense. 2009-07-14. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  38. ↑ Change in coalition command structure in southern Iraq, UK Ministry of Defence, March 31, 2009
  39. ↑ Operations in Iraq: British Forces in Iraq , UK Ministry of Defence, December 1, 2008
  40. ↑ Global Operations , Australian Department of Defence, April 20, 2009
  41. ↑ NATO’s assistance to Iraq, NATO Web site, January 2009
  42. ↑ NATO Training Mission - Iraq participating nations, NATO Web site, January 2009
Bibliography