Operation Peninsula Strike
Encyclopedia
Operation Peninsula Strike was a series of raids conducted by American troops from June 9 to June 13, 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom
. It took place on a peninsula alongside the Tigris River near Balad, Iraq
. Conducted by members of Task Force Ironhorse, US forces sought to eliminate Ba'ath Party members, paramilitary, and other subversive units. Specifically, US Forces were to hit five objectives simultaneously, detain the targets and screen them for intelligence.
On the last day of the operation, a force of Iraqi insurgents attacked a patrol from the 4th Infantry Division, which was involved in the operation. The insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at the 4th Infantry Division tank patrol. The tanks returned fire, killing four attackers and forcing the others to flee. Later, backed by Apache helicopters, the U.S. forces pursued the remaining attackers, killing another 23.
and preceded Operation Desert Scorpion
.
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
. It took place on a peninsula alongside the Tigris River near Balad, Iraq
Balad, Iraq
Balad is a city north of Baghdad in the Salah ad Din Governorate Iraq. It is located within the borders of the so-called Sunni Triangle; however, Balad is a primarily Shiite town of approximately 100,000...
. Conducted by members of Task Force Ironhorse, US forces sought to eliminate Ba'ath Party members, paramilitary, and other subversive units. Specifically, US Forces were to hit five objectives simultaneously, detain the targets and screen them for intelligence.
The operation
Attacking from helicopters, small boats and in armored vehicles, American forces set up road blocks and began a large raid that included over one thousand soldiers who quickly captured 397 suspects. Among those who were targeted for capture were two persons on the 'Most Wanted List': Major General Abul Ali Jasmin, the former Minister of Defense, and Brigadier General Abdullah Ali Jasmin, former head of the military academy. However, none of the targets were at the objectives. Of the 397 initially detained, most were released within days of the operation.On the last day of the operation, a force of Iraqi insurgents attacked a patrol from the 4th Infantry Division, which was involved in the operation. The insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at the 4th Infantry Division tank patrol. The tanks returned fire, killing four attackers and forcing the others to flee. Later, backed by Apache helicopters, the U.S. forces pursued the remaining attackers, killing another 23.
Units involved
Included elements of the:- 3d Brigade, U.S. 4th Infantry DivisionU.S. 4th Infantry DivisionThe 4th Infantry Division is a modular division of the United States Army based at Fort Carson, Colorado, with four brigade combat teams. It is a very technically advanced combat division in the U.S. Army....
- 173d Airborne Brigade
- 3d Squadron, U.S. 7th Cavalry RegimentU.S. 7th Cavalry RegimentThe 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army Cavalry Regiment, whose lineage traces back to the mid-19th century. Its official nickname is "Garryowen," in honor of the Irish air Garryowen that was adopted as its march tune....
, 3d Infantry Division - 1st Battalion, U.S. 8th Infantry RegimentU.S. 8th Infantry RegimentThe 8th Infantry Regiment of the United States, also known as the Fighting Eagles, is a infantry regiment in the United States Army. The 8th Infantry participated in the Mexican War, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War and Iraq Campaign.-Blazon:#Shield: Argent on a bend...
- 720th Military Police Battalion
- 57th Aviation Battalion
- 159th Aviation Battalion
- 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment503d Infantry RegimentThe 503rd Infantry Regiment, formerly the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment is an airborne unit in the United States military. It is one of the most decorated units of its kind with a distinguished battlefield record notably in World War II and the Vietnam War...
- elements from 104th Military Intelligence Battalion, U.S. 4th Infantry DivisionU.S. 4th Infantry DivisionThe 4th Infantry Division is a modular division of the United States Army based at Fort Carson, Colorado, with four brigade combat teams. It is a very technically advanced combat division in the U.S. Army....
- elements from 519th Military Intelligence Battalion519th Military Intelligence BattalionThe 519th Military Intelligence Battalion is a unit of the United States Army.Personnel of the 519th MI Battalion were alleged to have killed the Afghan detainee Dilawar in custody at Bagram Theater Internment Facility in December 2002....
See also
Operation Peninsula Strike followed Operation Planet XOperation Planet X
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Planet X was a US Army mechanized raid conducted on a village near Ad Dawr and Al Dur, north of Tikrit on the night of 15 May 2003 by elements of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, U.S. 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse in search of Ba'ath party...
and preceded Operation Desert Scorpion
Operation Desert Scorpion (Iraq 2003)
Operation Desert Scorpion was a major U.S.operation to identify and eliminate anti-coalition forces while simultaneously delivering humanitarian aid. The area of operation was mainly in north-central Iraq and was conducted between June 15 and June 29, 2003. The stated task and purpose of Operation...
.