Iraq War order of battle, 2009 explained

Below is an estimated list of the major units deployed within the Multi-National Force – Iraq and other United States military units that were operating in Iraq under the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in 2009, during the Iraq War.

In military science terminology, 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.

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 / Kurdistan Region.

Special Operations Task Forces

There is a distinction in U.S. 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 was under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command and its principal mission was to hunt down the leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).[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.

Order of battle as of 2009

Unless otherwise noted, all units were U.S. in origin. 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

(General Raymond Odierno)—Camp Victory, Baghdad

Multi-National Division Baghdad

1st Cavalry Division (Major General 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 Headquarters 1st Armored Division (2003–2004), Headquarters 1st Cavalry Division (2004), Headquarters 3rd Infantry Division (2004–2005), Headquarters 4th Infantry Division (2005–2006) and Headquarters 1st Cavalry Division (2006–2007), Headquarters 4th Infantry Division (2007–2009), Headquarters 1st Cavalry Division (2009–2010).

Multi-National Division South

34th Infantry Division - (Major General 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 the UK 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.

[26]

Multi-National Division North

25th Infantry Division/TF Lightning (Major General 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

II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) (Major General 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.

3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

The 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) was the senior logistics command under Multi-National Corps-Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-10.[33] Its headquarters was located at 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 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. It was formerly known as Logistics Support Area Anaconda, the largest army supply center in Iraq.

Training

Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq also played an important role.

United States Naval Forces in Iraq

The U.S. Navy Riverine Squadrons are elements of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) which took an active part in land operations in support of the Army and Marine 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."[34]

Three riverine squadrons were active in the U.S. 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.[35] Riverine Squadron 3 (RIVRON 3) was established in July 2007[36] and they relieved RIVRON 2 when their deployment was completed in April 2008. Also deployed to Iraq, but was in support of CJSOTF-AP and TF-77, was Combat Camera Group Pacific/Atlantic. This unit provided highly trained combat photographers who integrated 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 countries contributing to MNF-I

United Kingdom

The British Armed Forces was the second-largest contributor of foreign troops to Iraq, behind the United States. The British Army commanded the former Multi-National Division (South-East) (Iraq), which included UK, Italian, Australian, Romanian, Danish, Portuguese, Czech, and Lithuanian troops. However, the UK turned over command to the United States on March 31, 2009, and were 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.[39] 20th Armoured Brigade commanded the British forces in Iraq, which were then attached the U.S.-led Multi-National Division South.[40]

Australia

The Australian Defence Force had about 100 personnel providing security for the Australian Embassy in Baghdad. Known as Joint Task Force 633, it consisted 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 had 45 personnel embedded in various coalition headquarters and contributes two officers to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).[41]

Romania

The Romanian Armed Forces had one battalion deployed to Iraq. The 26th Infantry Battalion "Neagoe Basarab", also known as the Red Scorpions, based at Contingency Operating Base Adder, part of Tallil Air Base, near Nasiriyah, was attached to the 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division and performed convoy and infrastructure guard missions. The battalion was withdrawn from early June 2009.[42]

NATO Training Mission – Iraq

The NATO Training Mission – Iraq was not a combat mission but was focused on training and mentoring the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Iraqi Police.[43] It was supported and funded by all 28 NATO nations, and 14 nations had 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 participated alongside these nations, though it is not a member of NATO.[44]

See also

Events in Iraq during the year 2005.

A fact-finding mission sent by the coalition after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs developed by Iraq under the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

References

Notes
  • Bibliography

    • Notes and References

    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. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/army_specialforces_080225w/ SF presence may grow in combat areas
    5. http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26022&Itemid=21 I Corps Soldiers relieve Fort Bragg troops
    6. Web site: mnf-iraq.com. 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. Web site: DVIDS - News - 1-102 Cavalry takes over FOB Bucca headquarters mission. DVIDS. 26 December 2014.
    9. 4th Sustainment Brigade Conducts Battle Handoff . U.S. Department of Defense . 2008-12-13 . 2009-04-26 .
    10. 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 . Story Multi-National Corps – Baghdad PAO . 2009-08-01 . 2009-08-31 .
    12. 'Independence Brigade' Assumes Mission North of Baghdad. Multi-National Corps – Baghdad PAO . 2006-02-24 . 2009-04-16 .
    13. Web site: DVIDS - News - Dagger Brigade replaces Strike Brigade during Transfer of Authority ceremony. DVIDS. 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. Web site: mnf-iraq.com. 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. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/BritishWithdrawalFromBasraBegins.htm British withdrawal from Basra begins
    20. Story 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division PAO. March 10, 2009. Romanian 'Red Scorpions' assume authority from 'White Sharks'. 2009-04-16.
    21. Vanguard Bde transfers authority to 172nd Infantry Bde . Story Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO . 2008-12-26 . 2009-04-16 .
    22. 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. 12th Combat Aviation Brigade History (www.12cab.army.mil/About-Us/Our-History/) 1st Battalion, 130th Aviation Regiment, Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
    27. 1st Armored Division begins mission in Iraq . Story Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO . 2006-09-15 . 2008-01-11 .
    28. Fort Hood units transfer authority during at FOB Marez . Story Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO . 2009-01-19 . 2009-04-16 . 2009-02-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090211183703/http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24999&Itemid=21 . dead .
    29. http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27916&Itemid=21 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division hands over Diyala Province to 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division
    30. Broncos Replace Screaming Eagles in Iraq . Story 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division PAO . 2008-11-24 . 2009-04-16 .
    31. Sarah M. Rivette, Aviation brigade heading to Iraq, Watertown Daily Times, October 5, 2008
    32. Web site: MULTI NATIONAL FORCE – WEST FACT SHEET - OIF 09-01 (Accurate as of 30 June 2009) . 9 August 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090806152329/http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil/Public/InfolineMarines.nsf/0/F2C71BDDC4FCE100852575E70052EEB2/$FILE/MNF-W%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf . 6 August 2009 . dead .
    33. Web site: 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) transfers authority to 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
    34. Web site: U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command: "Riverine: About Us" . 2008-06-15 . 2008-03-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080324183150/http://www.necc.navy.mil/ . dead .
    35. Web site: RIVRON 1 Sailors Return Home. This story was written Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Suits, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic. 26 December 2014. 22 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110522114957/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32756. dead.
    36. Web site: NECC Establishes Riverine Squadron 3. Matthew D. Leistikow. 26 December 2014. 12 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070912023551/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=30481. dead.
    37. DoD Announces Units for Next Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation . U.S. Department of Defense . 2009-03-02 . 2009-04-19 .
    38. DoD Announces Upcoming Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation . U.S. Department of Defense . 2009-07-14 . 2009-07-14 .
    39. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/ChangeInCoalitionCommandStructureInSouthernIraq.htm Change in coalition command structure in southern Iraq
    40. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishForcesinIraq.htm Operations in Iraq: British Forces in Iraq
    41. http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/index.htm Global Operations
    42. Web site: Defense.gov News Article: Romanian Forces End Mission in Iraq. archive.defense.gov. 2019-06-09.
    43. http://www.nato.int/issues/iraq-assistance/index.html NATO’s assistance to Iraq
    44. http://www.afsouth.nato.int/JFCN_Missions/NTM-I/Factsheets/NTMI_part.htm NATO Training Mission - Iraq participating nations

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