Battle of Umm Qasr
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Umm Qasr was the first military confrontation in the Iraq War. At the start of the war one of the first objectives was the port
of Umm Qasr
. On March 21, 2003, allied forces advanced across Southern Iraq and after an amphibious landing forces captured the new port area of Umm Qasr. They then spent several more days fighting through the old town of Umm Qasr encountering fierce resistance.
The assault on the town's port was spearheaded by Royal Marines
of the British 3 Commando Brigade
supplemented by Marines of the US 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
and Polish
GROM
troops. However, Iraqi forces put up unexpectedly strong resistance requiring several days' fighting before the area was cleared of defenders. After the waterway was de-mined by a detachment from HM-14
and Naval Special Clearance Team ONE of the U.S. Navy and reopened, Umm Qasr played an important role in the shipment of humanitarian supplies to Iraqi civilians.
The port was declared safe and reopened on March 25, 2003, after Royal Marines took over control of the port and conducted raids into the old part of town.
Coalition minesweepers, including HMS Bangor, aided by divers, US Navy MH-53E helicopters, trained dolphins and seals, located and cleared the approach to the port of mines allowing RFA Sir Galahad
to dock after a couple of days.
Umm Qasr Port
Umm Qasr Port is Iraq's only deep water port, part of the city of Umm Qasr.Iraq's second port in scale of size and goods shipped to the port of Basra, it is strategically important, located on the western edge of the al-Faw peninsula, where the mouth of the Shatt al Arab waterway enters the Persian...
of Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr
Umm Qasr , is a port city in southern Iraq. It stands on the canalised Khawr az-Zubayr, part of the Khawr Abd Allah estuary which leads to the Persian Gulf. It is separated from the border of Kuwait by a small inlet...
. On March 21, 2003, allied forces advanced across Southern Iraq and after an amphibious landing forces captured the new port area of Umm Qasr. They then spent several more days fighting through the old town of Umm Qasr encountering fierce resistance.
The assault on the town's port was spearheaded by Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
of the British 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
supplemented by Marines of the US 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
and Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
GROM
GROM
GROM is one of five special forces units of the Polish Armed Forces. It was officially activated on July 8, 1990...
troops. However, Iraqi forces put up unexpectedly strong resistance requiring several days' fighting before the area was cleared of defenders. After the waterway was de-mined by a detachment from HM-14
HM-14
Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FOURTEEN is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Nicknamed the "Vanguard" and flying the MH-53E Sea Dragon, it comprises both active duty and reserve personnel...
and Naval Special Clearance Team ONE of the U.S. Navy and reopened, Umm Qasr played an important role in the shipment of humanitarian supplies to Iraqi civilians.
The port was declared safe and reopened on March 25, 2003, after Royal Marines took over control of the port and conducted raids into the old part of town.
Coalition minesweepers, including HMS Bangor, aided by divers, US Navy MH-53E helicopters, trained dolphins and seals, located and cleared the approach to the port of mines allowing RFA Sir Galahad
RFA Sir Galahad (1987)
RFA Sir Galahad was a landing ship logistics of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, currently in service with the Brazilian Navy as the Garcia D'Avila.-History:...
to dock after a couple of days.