Iraq War order of battle 2009

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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 in 2003. 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 Corps Iraq/I Corps (Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr.)[5][6] Was based at Camp Victory (primary component of the Victory Base Complex), north of Baghdad International Airport, and directed the following division-sized formations:
  • 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Wisconsin Army National Guard (Col. Steven Bensend) [7]
    • Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 32nd BCT—International Zone, Joint Area Support Group–Central
    • 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment—rear area security, Camp Bucca, Iraq [8]
    • 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, Camp Cropper, Iraq
    • 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, Camp Cropper, Iraq
    • 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry Regiment, Camp Bucca, Iraq
    • 132nd Brigade Support Battalion—rear area security, Camp Bucca, Iraq
    • Brigade Special Troops Battalion
  • 155th Brigade Combat Team (Col. William L. Glasgow)— conducted base defense, force protection, personal protection and convoy escort security missions throughout Iraq
    • Headquarters, 155th BCT
    • 106th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 155th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
    • 2nd Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment (Joint Base Balad)
    • 1st Battalion, 98th Cavalry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms Battalion
  • 29th Brigade Combat Team, Hawaii Army National Guard (Col. Bruce E. Oliveira) [9]
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 29th Brigade Combat Team—Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
    • 29th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
    • 29th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment—Camp Virginia, Kuwait [10]
    • 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment (Air Assault) Al Saqr-Camp Falcon, Baghdad. Patrolled the most dangerous part of Dowmtown Baghdad Al Dora, Karada Street, Horajab, Al Sadr City.
    • 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment (Army Reserve)—Camp Arifjan, Kuwait [10]
  • 41st IBCT, Oregon Army National Guard (Col. Daniel R. Hokanson)—Camp Victory, Baghdad [11]
    • 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment
    • 41st Special Troops Battalion
    • 141st Support Battalion
    • 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment

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).

  • 1st BCT, 1st Cavalry Division (Col. Tobin Green)
    • 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment
    • 115th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion—Joint Security Station War Eagle
  • 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard (Col. Marc Ferraro)—Camp Taji, Taji [12]
    • 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, [Tarmiyah, Iraq]
    • 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Squadron 104th Cavalry Regiment
    • 328th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 856th Engineer Company
    • 1st Battalion, 108th Field Artillery Regiment
    • D Company (Anti-Tank), 112th Infantry Regiment
    • 656th Signal Company
    • 556th Military Intelligence Company
  • 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division (Col. Joseph Martin)—Camp Liberty, Baghdad [13]
    • 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment
    • 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment
    • Brigade Special Troops Battalion
    • 299th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 70th Engineer Battalion
    • 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment (OPCON from 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania Army National Guard)
  • 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (Col. Gregory A. Lusk)—FOB Falcon, Rashid district, Baghdad [14]
  • 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division (Col. Timothy McGuire)—FOB Loyalty, Baghdad [15]
    • 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
    • 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion
    • 82nd Brigade Support Battalion
    • 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (OPCON from 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division)—FOB War Eagle [16]
  • 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Col. Douglas Gabram)—Camp Taji, Iraq [17]
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company
    • 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
    • 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
    • 615th Aviation Support Battalion
    • 1-64 Armor Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

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.

  • 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division (Col. Ryan F. Gonsalves)—FOB Warrior, Kirkuk
    • 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment
    • 15th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion
  • 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division (Col. Gary Volesky)—FOB Marez, Mosul [28]
    • 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment
    • 215th Brigade Support Battalion
    • 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion
    • 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment (Lt. Col. Casey) (OPCON from 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division)—Mosul [22]
  • 3rd SBCT, 2nd Infantry Division (Col. David Funk)—FOB Warhorse, Diyala province, Iraq [29]
    • 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment
    • 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Battalion
    • 296th Brigade Support Battalion
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd SBCT
    • 334th Signal Company
    • 209th Military Intelligence Company
    • 18th Engineer Company
    • Charlie Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment (Anti-Tank)
  • 3rd BCT, 25th Infantry Division (Col. Walter Piatt)—COB Speicher, Tikrit [30]
    • 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 35th Infantry Regiment
    • 3rd Special Troops Battalion
    • 3rd Battalion 7th Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Squadron (RSTA), 4th Cavalry Regiment
    • 325th Brigade Support Battalion
  • 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (Col. Erik C. Peterson)—COB Speicher, Tikrit [31]
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Aviation Brigade
    • 277th Aviation Support Battalion
    • 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment
    • 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion

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.

  • Regimental Combat Team 6 (Col. Matthew A. Lopez) — Camp Ramadi
  • Regimental Combat Team 8 (Col. John K. Love) — Al Asad Air Base
  • II MEF Headquarters Group (Forward) (Col. Scott D. Aiken)
  • Combat Logistics Regiment 27 (Forward) (Col. Vincent A. Coglianese)—Camp Al Taqaddum with detachments in Ramadi, Baharia, Al Asad and Sahl Sinjar
    • Combat Logistics Battalion 4
    • Combat Logistics Battalion 46
    • 2nd Supply Battalion
    • Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24
  • 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd) (Brig. Gen. Robert S. Walsh)—Al Asad with detachments at Korean Village, Al Taqaddum, Al Qaim and other locations throughout the Al Anbar Province
    • Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2
    • Marine Air Control Group 28
    • Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2
    • Marine Wing Support Squadron 271
    • Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28
    • Marine Air Support Squadron 1
    • Marine Air Control Squadron 2
    • Marine Air Control Squadron 24
    • Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28
  • Marine Aircraft Group 26
    • Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269
    • Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26
    • Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268
    • Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462
    • Company C, 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (OPCON from 12th Combat Aviation Brigade)
    • Company B, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment (OPCON from 12th Combat Aviation Brigade)
    • Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252
    • Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3
    • Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4
    • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314

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

  • 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division [36]
    • 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment (RSTA)
    • 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment
    • 202nd Support Battalion
    • Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB)
  • 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters [37]
  • 1st Infantry Division Headquarters[37]
  • 1st Armored Division Headquarters [37]
  • 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division [37]
  • 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams, 10th Mountain Division [37]
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, 3rd Infantry Division [37]
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division [37]
  • 53rd Brigade Combat Team, Florida Army National Guard [37]

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 had one battalion deployed to Iraq. The 26th Infantry Battalion, based at Contingency Operating Base Adder near Nasiriyah, was attached to the 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division and performed 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
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  7. Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, Halfway point in Iraq: Around the 32nd Brigade , 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team PAO, September 7, 2009
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  10. 10.0 10.1 Gregg K. Kakesako, High-tech training benefits isle Guard, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, October 21, 2008
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  14. Sgt. Daniel Nichols, Relief in Place Begins Between Iron Brigade and Old Hickory, 2nd BCT, 1AD PAO, May 9, 2009
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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”
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  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