The invasion phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom took place not even two years after 9/11 and officially lasted a mere 43 days. While there had been some fighting in Afghanistan as well as a couple of other smaller “police actions” going on at the time, the vast majority of the 160,000-plus strong coalition force had never seen combat, including their training cadres and leadership. We recently reached the realization that babies born during the “Thunder Run” to Baghdad are now old enough to serve themselves, sparking a bit of nostalgia for us. In hindsight, the buildup to war always seems quick, the lessons learned obvious with the patina of time. But gearing up the war machine, especially one that was three decades out of practice concerning large-scale campaigning, takes time and intentional effort. It’s also not without teething problems and growing pains.
Direct experience in warfare comes with lasting impressions and hard-won lessons, and this was the first war broadcast live and worldwide on TV. Shortly after the invasion, literal tons of leftover Cold War gear, equipment, and tactics had to be forced out to pasture or shot behind the barn. The invasion phase of Iraq represented the emergence of a new, experienced, battle-hardened military while still clinging to some older vestigial parts, which would be shirked off later.
GYPSY WARRIORS
One of the definitive features of U.S. troops during the 2003 Iraqi invasion was the absolute jumble f*ck of uniforms, gear, and equipment. Early MOLLE items were mixed with old web gear that wouldn’t have been out of place in Vietnam. CamelBaks mixed with canteens. ALICE pouches were attached to MOLLE vests. M9s rode in Bianchi M12 flap holsters alongside Blackhawk dropleg systems, the latter often seen at knee-height.
The beginning of the great interservice camo wars just started the year prior when the Marine Corps introduced their digital MARPAT uniforms, though the use of Desert MARPAT wasn’t yet widespread even among frontline units. Most of the people on the ground had some form of armor in a woodland camouflage pattern, ranging from ancient flak jackets to newer Interceptor vests (which may or may not have included one or two SAPI plates) on top of DCU tricolor desert uniforms. In more well-equipped units, ESS or Oakley goggles were used, while others made do with Gulf War-era dust goggles.
And of course, MOPP
