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U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Iraq, 2003-2006

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U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Iraq, 2003-2006 5/26/09 8:43:47 AM ESTES U.S. MARINE CORPS OPERATIONS IN IRAQ, 2003-2006 Estes Covers 1-4.indd 1 Back Cover: The logotype reproduced on the back cover has as its major element the oldest military insignia in continuous use in the United States. It first appeared, as shown here, on Ma- rine Corps buttons adopted in 1804. With the stars changed to five points, the device has con- tinued on Marine Corps buttons to the present day. Estes Covers 1-4.indd 2 5/26/09 8:43:47 AM U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Iraq, 2003–2006 by Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth W. Estes U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) Occasional Paper History Division United States Marine Corps Quantico, Virginia 2009 Other Publications in the Occasional Papers Series Vietnam Histories Workshop: Plenary Session. Jack Shulimson, editor. 9 May1983. 31 pp. Vietnam Revisited; Conversation with William D. Broyles, Jr. Colonel John G. Miller, USMC, editor. 11 December 1984. 48 pp. Bibliography on Khe Sanh USMC Participation. Commander Ray W. Strubbe, CHC, USNR (Ret), compiler.April 1985. 54 pp. Alligators, Buffaloes, and Bushmasters:The History of the Development of the LVT Through World War II. Major Alfred Dunlop Bailey, USMC (Ret). 1986. 272 pp. Leadership Lessons and Remembrances from Vietnam. Lieutenant General Herman Nickerson, Jr., USMC (Ret). 1988. 93 pp. The Problems of U.S. Marine Corps Prisoners of War in Korea. James Angus MacDonald, Jr. 1988. 295 pp. John Archer Lejeune, 1869-1942, Register of His Personal Papers. Lieutenant Colonel Merrill L. Bartlett, USMC (Ret). 1988. 123 pp. To Wake Island and Beyond: Reminiscences. Brigadier General Woodrow M. Kessler, USMC (Ret). 1988. 145 pp. Thomas Holcomb, 1879-1965, Register of His Personal Papers. Gibson B. Smith. 1988. 229 pp. Curriculum Evolution, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, 1920-1988. Lieutenant Colonel Donald F. Bittner, USMCR. 1988. 112 pp. Herringbone Cloak-GI Dagger, Marines of the OSS. Major Robert E. Mattingly, USMC. 1989. 315 pp. The Journals of Marine Second Lieutenant Henry Bulls Watson, 1845-1848. Charles R. Smith, editor. 1990. 420 pp. When the Russians Blinked:The U.S. Maritime Response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Major John M. Young, USMCR. 1990. 246 pp. Marines in the Mexican War. Gabrielle M. Neufeld Santelli. Edited by Charles R. Smith. 1991. 63 pp. The Development of Amphibious Tactics in the U.S. Navy. General Holland M. Smith, USMC (Ret). 1992. 89 pp. James Guthrie Harbord, 1866-1947, Register of His Personal Papers. Lieutenant Colonel Merrill L. Bartlett, USMC (Ret). 1995. 47 pp. The Impact of Project 100,000 on the Marine Corps. Captain David A. Dawson, USMC. 1995. 247 pp. Marine Corps Aircraft: 1913-2000. Major John M. Elliot, USMC (Ret). 2002. 126 pp. Thomas Holcomb and the Advent of the Marine Corps Defense Battalion, 1936-1941. David J. Ulbrich. 2004. 78 pp. Marine History Operations in Iraq, Operation Iraq Freedom I, A Catalog of Interviews and Recordings. Lieutenant Colonel Nathan S. Lowrey, USMCR. 2005. 254 pp. With the 1st Marine Division in Iraq, 2003. No Greater Friend, No Worse Enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Michael S. Groen, USMC. 2006. 413 pp Marine Advisors:With the Vietnamese Provincial Reconnaissance Units, 1966-1970. Colonel Andrew R. Finlayson, USMC (Ret). 2009. 72 pp. Operation Millpond: U.S. Marines in Thailand, 1961. Colonel George R. Hofmann, Jr., USMC (Ret). 2009. 36 pp. 2 Table of Contents Foreword ..................................................................................................... 5 Preface ......................................................................................................... 7 Part I–The Campaign against the Insurgency Chapter 1: The Return to Iraq ..................................................................... 9 Chapter 2: The Deployment ..................................................................... 19 Chapter 3: Operations in al-Anbar Province ............................................. 25 Chapter 4: First al-Fallujah Battle and its Aftermath .................................. 33 Chapter 5: Second Fallujah Battle ............................................................. 49 Chapter 6: Operations post-Fallujah ......................................................... 67 Part II–Protecting the New Iraqi State Chapter 7: The Mission Continues ............................................................ 73 Chapter 8: Into the Fray ............................................................................ 81 Chapter 9: Protecting Self-Rule ................................................................. 89 Chapter 10: Protecting the New Iraq ....................................................... 97 Chapter 11: Redeployment and Relief .................................................... 109 Chapter 12: Continuous Operations ....................................................... 117 Epilogue: New and Old ........................................................................... 125 Endnotes .................................................................................................. 129 Appendices: A–Command and Staff List ...................................................................... 137 B–Terms and Abbreviations ..................................................................... 143 C–Chronology ......................................................................................... 147 D–Reviewers ........................................................................................... 153 3 4 Foreword The History Division has undertaken the publication for limited distribution of various studies, the­ ses, compilations, bibliographies, monographs, and memoirs as well as proceedings at selected work­ shops, seminars, symposia, and similar colloquia, which it considers to be of significant value for audi­ ences interested in Marine Corps history. These “Occasional Papers,” which are chosen for their intrin­ sic worth, must reflect structured research, present a contribution to historical knowledge not readily available in published sources, and reflect original content on the part of the author, compiler, or editor. It is the intent of the division that these occasional papers be distributed to select institutions such as service schools, official Department of Defense historical agencies, and directly concerned Marine Corps organizations, so the information contained therein will be available for study and exploitation. Dr. Charles P. Neimeyer Director of Marine Corps History 5 6 Preface This is a story about Marines and a tough mission: the Marines of I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces were deployed to Iraq during 2004–2006 and confronted a violent insurgency and a nation in chaos. Though the Marines came to fight—they did so admirably in al-Fallujah, ar-Ramadi, and other hot and dusty locales in al-Anbar Province—they also laid the foundation for a secure and stable Iraqi so­ ciety. Though security and stabilization seemed improbable if not impossible in al-Anbar Province, the apparent intractable insurgency was beaten with gritty determination that Marines have always brought to the fight. Besides using warfighting skills, the Marines also employed their expertise in civil affairs to help rebuild a nation in disarray. The military occupation of al-Anbar Province required patience, perseverance, and fortitude. The cities and towns were damaged, inhabitants demoralized, and little remained of civil authority. Hopes remained high that the occupation would be short–lived and that the Iraqis would pick themselves up and rebuild. However, those hopes died hard on the harsh realities of post-invasion Iraq. As the Marines took up new and unplanned responsibilities, insurgent violence continued and increased, generated by the national disarray of all social institutions. For the I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces, nation build­ ing and combat operations would proceed alongside one another for most of their service in Iraq. A work of this kind necessarily depends on the help and advice of many people. The original con­ cept of assigning this volume to an independent historian came from discussions in 2005 between then- Lieutenant General James N. Mattis, commanding the Marine Corps Combat Development Center, and Major General Donald R. Gardner (Ret), President of Marine Corps University. Major General Gardner launched the project and arranged for my appointment as a research fellow of his institution during 2006–08. Officers and enlisted Marines of Inspector-Instructor, 4th Landing Support Battalion, Ft. Lewis, Wash­ ington, cheerfully provided office space and support for my research and writing. Their readiness to assist extended in many instances to their advice and valued explanations of current procedures and operational matters, including in several cases experiences in Iraq during the period treated by this work. In particular, I thank Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Smith, Major Wesley E. Souza, Captain Greg­ ory J. Chester, Captain Christopher J. Murphy, Sergeant Major Thomas Glembin, and Staff Sergeant M. E. Johnston. The Marine Corps University Foundation and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation supported me with a combined fellowship in 2006–08, administered by Brigadier General Thomas V. Draude (Ret). The staff of the Archives Branch, Library of the Marine Corps, Gray Research Center at Quantico, principally Michael Miller, Director, and Dr. Jim Ginther, Manuscript Curator, facilitated my use of their document collection. Mr. Scott A. Allen assisted me in understanding some of the contributions
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