List of coalition military operations of the Iraq War in 2004
During the early occupation, a number of widely cited humanitarian, tactical, and political errors by coalition planners, particularly the United States and United Kingdom led to a growing armed resistance, usually called the "Iraqi insurgency" (referred to by the mainstream media and coalition governments). The anti-occupation/anti-coalition forces are believed to be predominantly, but not exclusively, Iraqi Sunni Muslim Arabs, plus some foreign Arab and Muslim fighters, some of the latter tied to al-Qaeda. Several minor coalition members have pulled out of Iraq; this has been widely considered a political success for the anti-occupation forces.
Despite this, there was a reduction in violence throughout Iraq in the start of 2004 due to reorganization within the insurgent forces. During this time the tactics used by coalition forces were studied and the insurgency began to plan a new strategy. The calm did not last long however and once the insurgency had regained its footing attacks resumed and increased. Throughout the remainder of 2004 and continuing into the present day, the insurgency has employed bombings as their primary means of combating the coalition forces. This has led to hundreds of Iraqi civilians and police killed in addition to the coalition forces they were fighting. Many were killed in a series of massive bombings at mosques and shrines throughout Iraq. The bombings indicated that as the relevance of Saddam Hussein and his followers was diminishing, radical Islamists, both foreign and Iraqi was increasing to take their place. An organized Sunni insurgency, with deep roots and both nationalist and Islamist motivations, was becoming clear. The Mahdi Army also began launching attacks on coalition targets and to seize control from the Iraqi security forces. The southern and central portions of Iraq began to erupt in urban guerilla combat as coalition forces attempted to keep control and prepared for a counteroffensive.
In response to insurgent attacks, coalition forces focused on hunting down the remaining leaders of the former regime, culminating in the shooting deaths of Saddam's two sons in July. In all, over 200 top leaders of the former regime were killed or captured, as well as supports and military personnel during the summer of 2004.
2004 military operations[edit | edit source]
Battle/Operation name | From date | To date | Location | Purpose and result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Operation Gimlet Victory | 2004 | 2004 | ||
Operation Hickory View | 2004 | 2004 | Helped eliminate many of the established indirect fire patterns, which insurgents had used | |
Operation I CAN | 2004 | 2004 | throughout Iraq | Soldiers distributed over 100 boxes of donated school supplies and toys to Iraqi children. |
Operation Iron Fury II | 2004 | 2004 | Sadr City | Continued missions to drive the Mahdi Army out of the city |
Operation Lancer Lightning | 2004 | 2004 | ||
Operation Windy City | 2004 | 2004 | Baghdad | Gave blankets to distribute to the local population |
Operation Warhorse Whirlwind | January 2004 | January 2004 | Abu Kharma | Captured 31 individuals, including eight people who were specifically targeted for suspected involvement in anti-Coalition activity |
Operation Iron Resolve | January 12 2004 | 2004 | Baghdad | Was intended to disrupt the terrorist networks with constant searches and raids by coalition forces |
Operation Clothes for Kids | January 13 2004 | January 14 2004 | Taji | An effort to bring clothing to needy Iraqi children |
Operation Market Sweep | January 13 2004 | January 13 2004 | Fallujah | The successful raid into the downtown Fallujah arms market |
Operation Saloon | January 14 2004 | January 14 2004 | the Al-Anbar province | Captured a high-ranking former Iraqi Officer, General Mamoud Khudair Younes |
Operation Centaur Fast Gas | January 15 2004 | January 19 2004 | Ba’qubah | Provide security for the gas station, help manage the lines in order to facilitate maximum efficiency of the gas station, and prevent unauthorized gas pilferage |
Operation Rock Slide | January 15 2004 | January 15 2004 | the Al-Anbar province | Captured a high-ranking former Iraqi officer Brig. Gen. Kalil Ibraham Fayal al-Dulaymi |
Operation Wolfhound Trap II | January 21 2004 | January 23 2004 | Heychel | |
Operation Wolfhound Fury II | January 22 2004 | January 22 2004 | Heychel and its surrounding villages | Hunted down suspected terrorists and provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people |
Operation Wolverine Feast | January 24 2004 | January 24 2004 | the Al-Doura district | Coalition and Iraqi Army soldiers detained 10 suspects and seized four caches |
Operation Final Cut | January 28 2004 | February 2004 | Bayji | Was designed to capture or eliminate people suspected of insurgent activity |
Operation Saber Turner II | February 2004 | February 2004 | ||
Operation Tomahawk (Iraq) | February 2004 | February 2004 | ||
Operation Trailblazer | February 09 2004 | Ongoing | Baqubah | An effort to make Iraqi roads safer for fellow soldiers. The beginning of this operation was conducted by the 14th Engineer Battalion (C)(W) and the 244th Engineers out of Colorado. This Operation was taken over by the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion (C)(W), a North Dakota National Guard unit. Their mission was to patrol a section of Iraq's main highways and alternate routes locating and clearing bombs. The secondary goal of this mission was route sanitation which included knocking down trees in the medians of the roads and clearing brush from the sides of the road where the enemy could easily hide a bomb. In January 2005, the 141st Engineers were replaced by the 467th Engineer Battalion (C)(W), a USAR unit from Tennessee. The 14th Engineer Battalion returned to Iraq and relieved the 467th Engineers of the Trailblazer mission in December 2005. Alpha Company, 164th Engineers from North Dakota took over operations from the 467th Engineers in the LSA Anaconda/Balad area around the same time. In October 2006, the 14th Engineers were replaced by the 1st Engineer Battalion. |
Operation Eagle Liberty 3 | February 18 2004 | February 19 2004 | Bilad | Targeted individuals who were suspected of attacking forward operating bases in the area. 16 targets and 3 enemy personnel were detained |
Operation Devil Clinch | February 21 2004 | February 21 2004 | Baghdad | Was designed as a series of raids to capture suspected insurgents |
Operation Rocketman | February 26 2004 | February 26 2004 | the town of Siniyah | Three Iraqis suspected of attacks on coalition forces were arrested |
Operation Aloha | March 2004 | March 2004 | Kirkuk | American anti-insurgent sweep. Elements of the 25th Infantry Division surrounded an area in late March 2004 and sent patrols to conduct searches for weapons. The troopers knocked on doors to ask permission to search. This was a change from earlier more-aggressive techniques. The name of the operation is a traditional Hawaiian greeting. The 25th Infantry Division has long been based in that state. |
Operation Centaur Rodeo | March 2004 | March 2004 | Baqubah | Designed to slow the smuggling of illegal weapons in Baqubah's Diyala Governorate capital. As of 30 March 2004 coalition forces had seized 3 people and several weapons.[1] |
Operation Devil Thrust | March 2004 | March 2004 | The operation consists of three phases. The first phase is surveillance and reconnaissance, the 2nd was combat operations and the 3rd was stabiliztion | |
Operation Soccor Ball | March 2004 | March 2004 | Baghdad, Karadah district | Gave away 150 soccer balls to local children |
Operation Warrior | March 03 2004 | March 03 2004 | Was a cordon and search operation conducted by coalition forces designed to capture Farhan and Sofi Sinjar, Abu Akmed, and Abu Farka.[2] | |
Operation Shillelagh | March 17 2004 | March 17 2004 | Abu Ghurayb | Seven wanted individuals were found and detained during a sweep of more than 700 houses. See Also Operation Iron Promise. |
Operation Suicide Kings | March 17 2004 | March 17 2004 | Baghdad | A combined cordon and search operation involving U.S. and Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Soldiers |
Operation Iron Promise | March 18 2004 | November 2004 | Baghdad | Part of an ongoing campaign to bring stabilization and security to the country and people of Iraq. Was a long-running series of patrols conducted by elements of the 1st Armored and 1st Cavalry Divisions. The operation continued until at least November 2004 when it was still being mentioned in newspaper reports. The name is derived from the "Old Ironsides" nickname of the 1st Armored Division. |
Operation Duke Fortitude | April 2004 | April 2004 | Fallujah | The operation was designed to capture or kill elements of the Mahdi army and Muqtada Al-Sadr |
Operation Iron Saber | April 2004 | June 2004 | Najaf, Al Kut and Karbala | Was a coalition strike aimed at defeating the Mahdi army under the control of Muqtada al-Sadr |
Operation Lancer Fury | April 2004 | April 2004 | Baghdad, Sadr City | Was one of many operations initiated in hopes of disarming and disbanding militia forces |
Battle of Fallujah(2004) | April 04 2004 | May 01 2004 | Fallujah | (See Operation Vigilant Resolve) |
Operation Vigilant Resolve | April 04 2004 | May 01 2004 | Fallujah | First American attempt to capture Fallujah. |
Battle of Ramadi (2004) | April 06 2004 | April 10 2004 | Ramadi | An estimated 250 rebels were killed in fighting that shattered the insurgent offensive |
Operation Resolute Sword | April 08 2004 | April 08 2004 | Was a military operation taken by the United States' armed forces to capture Muqtada al-Sadr. (April 10 President's Radio Address Mention) | |
Operation Danger Fortitude | April 11 2004 | April 17 2004 | Najaf, about 20 km northwest of | was designed establish and occupy FOB Duke |
Operation Ripper Sweep | April 12 2004 | April 2004 | Fallujah | The operation aimed at securing roads into and out of the city. Was a United States Marine Corps operation that took place as Operation Vigilant Resolve raged in Fallujah. The operation aimed at securing roads into and out of Fallujah and was led by the 7th Marine Regiment. The Marines swept west to east from Al Asad and seized a large number of bombs. |
Battle of Husaybah | April 17 2004 | April 17 2004 | Husaybah | Five Marines were killed along with 150 insurgents in the fierce battle that lasted 14 hours. Another 9 Marines were wounded and 20 insurgents captured. |
Operation Yellow Stone | April 23 2004 | April 23 2004 | Al-Rashida, the former presidential island retreat | To secure the area and remove the enemy from the island |
Operation Rapier Thrust | May 2004 | May 2004 | ||
Operation Spring Cleanup | May 2004 | May 2004 | Baqouba | Designed to take control of a stretch of road known as the Blue Babe Highway and included the U.S. 3rd Brigade Combat Teams. The area was also known as "RPG Alley" for the large number of roadside bombings and insurgent attacks that occurred there.[3] |
Operation Thunderstruck | May 2004 | May 2004 | ||
Operation Striker Hurricane | May 01 2004 | May 01 2004 | Baghdad | To round up insurgents and other anti-coalition parties |
Operation Wolfpack Crunch | May 04 2004 | May 04 2004 | Diwaniya | The mission’s target was a series of buildings, located near an old downtown theater, which were reportedly being used by members of the “Muqtada’s Militia” to plan and stage attacks against Coalition forces |
Operation Arrowhead Strike 10 | May 05 2004 | May 06 2007 | Baghdad, the southwestern Rashid District | To rid the Rashid District of terrorists and criminals and to protect the population |
Operation Student to Student | May 10 2004 | May 10 2004 | Al-Baruddi | Gave the soldiers and the local populace an opportunity to establish the relationships that are so critical to the building of a sovereign Iraq |
Operation Disarm | May 19 2004 | May 19 2004 | Baghdad | The program used funds earmarked for tips leading to the capture of insurgents or illegal weapons and offers up to $500 per weapon, depending on type. Included in the final tally were more than 80 AK-47 rifles, mortars, mines and grenades. |
Operation Diyala Border Police Audit | May 26 2004 | June 2004 | Muntheria | To verify the accuracy and legitimacy of the Diyala Border Polices’ financial and payroll records just northeast of Kanaqan |
Operation Giuliani | June 2004 | June 2004 | Mosul | Was designed to seize weapons and munitions to prevent them from being used against coalition forces |
Operation Slim Shady | June 2004 | June 2004 | Kirkuk | Was designed to cripple the resources of Muqtada al-Sadr's militia. The 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division of the United States Military launched the operation, which was designed to cripple the resources of the then powerful rebel forces of Muqtada al-Sadr. The operation began in the first week of June 2004. Six individuals were captured, five of which were cell leaders in the Mahdi army. One of the insurgents captured was As'ad Abu Aws. As'ad Abu Aws was the second in command of the militia's Kirkuck operations. The name of the operation was taken from popular rapper Eminem's (real name Marshall Mathers) fictional alter-ego Slim Shady. Press Release |
Operation Striker Tornado | June 2004 | June 2004 | Baghdad | Was designed to allow the 1st Armored Division to execute near-simultaneous raids on specified targets wanted for anti-coalition activities |
Operation Rocketman III | June 08 2004 | June 08 2004 | Designed to search and secure enemy personnel as well as those suspected of harboring insurgents and weapons. | |
Operation Dragon Victory | June 19 2004 | June 19 2004 | Najaf | Support and counterinsurgency: Was designed to provide relief in place of the 2nd Armored Cavalry and to provide logistical support for Task Force Danger and continue to sustain combat operations. |
Operation Gimlet Crusader | June 24 2004 | June 24 2004 | Kirkuk | Was aimed at disrupting insurgents and their attacks on multinational forces |
Operation Gimlet Silent Sniper | July 2004 | July 2004 | Kirkuk | Engaged in multiple searches and raids looking to capture or kill cell leaders |
Operation Haifa Street | July 2004 | July 2004 | Baghdad | Was specifically designed as a large raid focused on criminals and criminal activity in Baghdad |
Operation Oasis | July 2004 | July 2004 | Baghdad | The overall project to improve electricity, sewers, water and other essential services around the city. |
Operation Outlaw Destroyer | July 2004 | July 2004 | Tikrit | Was designed to prevent insurgents from gaining weapons and munitions from known ammunition storage points |
Operation Mutual Security | July 02 2004 | July 02 2004 | Mosul | Was designed as a sweeping house-to-house search for weapons and terrorists to be conducted by only Iraqi forces |
Operation Tombstone Piledriver | July 15 2004 | July 15 2004 | Baghdad | The operation netted six individuals who were detained for questioning. |
Operation Mayfield III | July 19 2004 | July 19 2004 | ||
Operation Cobra Sweep | July 28 2004 | July 28 2004 | Baghdad, in the Hay Muthana district | Was designed to cordon, search, and seize bomb makers, materials and potential storage places |
Operation Quarterhorse Rides | August 2004 | August 2004 | Ad Duluiyah | To increase security and deter enemy attacks |
Operation Warrior Resolve | August 2004 | August 2004 | the At Tamin and As Sulaymaniyah provinces | Was a massive synchronized effort which attempted to deter insurgent forces |
Operation Tiger Care | August 03 2004 | August 03 2004 | Balad General Hospital | To assist the local hospital by procuring and delivering much needed medical supplies |
Operation Phantom Linebacker | July 04 2004 | July 04 2004 | along the Syrian border | Security Operations along the Syrian border. |
Operation Vanguard Thunder | August 05 2004 | August 05 2004 | Baghdad | Targeted 150–200 terrorist suspects. No injuries or damages were reported |
Battle of Najaf (2004) | August 05 2004 | August 27 2004 | Najaf | Was a battle that was fought between U.S. and Iraqi forces, and the Islamist Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr |
CIMIC-House | August 05 2004 | August 28 2004 | Al Amarah | Was a siege fought between UK forces, and the Islamist Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr. An estimated 200+ insurgents were killed. |
Operation Cajun Mousetrap II | August 05 2004 | August 2004 | Samarra | Some small arms were found and at least three rebels were killed while nine people were detained and transferred for further questioning. |
Operation Cajun Mousetrap III | August 13 2004 | August 15 2004 | Samarra | Troops utilized targeted raids against enemy personnel who were destabilizing the city and an estimated 45 insurgents were killed. |
Operation Iron Fury | August 17 2004 | 2004 | Baghdad | An "all-out effort" to stop violence in the Baghdad area by militia headed up by Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr |
Operation Showdown | August 18 2004 | August 18 2004 | Ar Ramadi | To search for weapons caches and terrorists |
Operation Wolverine | August 19 2004 | August 19 2004 | Ad Duluiyah | Was designed to prevent organized insurgent force activities as well as deny AIF sanctuary |
Operation Grizzly Forced Entry | August 21 2004 | August 21 2004 | Najaf | Was designed as a search and seizure operation of high value targets suspected of attacking coalition forces |
Operation Clean Sweep | August 23 2004 | August 24 2004 | Baghdad, southern portion | Raided 350 houses and detained 49 suspects |
Operation True Grit | August 23 2004 | August 24 2004 | Ramadi | During the operation, Multi-National Forces and SSF searched several houses and 17 insurgents were detained, four of which were found setting up an ambush on top of one of the houses |
Operation Hurricane | September 2004 | September 2004 | Ramadi | Resulted in the detention of four suspected insurgents, the removal of 6 bombs and the confiscation of bomb making materials, including cell phone parts |
Operation Black Typhoon | September 09 2004 | September 14 2004 | Tal Afar | All the enemy insurgents had either been killed or fled the city |
Operation Hurricane II | September 18 2004 | September 18 2004 | Ramadi | To disrupt the Daham terrorist network and to discover and remove illegal weapons and ammunition caches in the city. |
Operation Iron Fist II | September 23 2004 | 2004 | Ramadi | A top priority in the operation was to detain or eliminate Moktada al-Sadr's lieutenants |
Operation Longhorn | September 24 2004 | September 24 2004 | Ramadi | A coordinated effort to detain insurgent Forces and remove illegal weapons and ammunition caches |
Operation Marne | September 24 2004 | September 24 2004 | Ramadi | A coordinated effort to detain insurgent Forces and remove illegal weapons and ammunition caches |
Operation Predator | September 24 2004 | September 24 2004 | Ramadi | A coordinated effort to detain Anti-Iraqi Forces and remove illegal weapons and ammunition caches |
Operation Backpack | October 2004 | October 2004 | Baqubah | Taking 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to school children |
Operation Mustang Flex | October 2004 | October 2004 | Tikrit | Counterinsurgency and humanitarian: Deny insurgents sanctuary, promote the Tikrit Job Corps program, and assess essential services. |
Operation Ramadan Roundup | October 2004 | October 2004 | Tikrit | Resulted in the capture of 30 insurgents, more than 60 weapons, and Improvised Explosive Device making materials. |
Operation Tangerine Pinch | October 2004 | October 2004 | Tikrit | Deny insurgents sanctuary, promote the Tikrit Job Corps program, and assess essential services. |
Operation Wolfhound Fury | October 05 2004 | October 2004 | Hegneh | A Task Force 1–27 air assault mission |
Operation Bulldog | October 06 2004 | 2004 | Ar-Ramadi | Was designed to re-establish peace and stability by denying sanctuary to insurgents, capturing enemy personnel, and seize any weapons caches |
Operation Centaur Strike II | October 11 2004 | October 11 2004 | Baqubah | Was designed to seize insurgent equipment caches in hopes of disrupting terrorist activity before the Ramadan. |
Operation Centaur Strike III | October 13 2004 | October 13 2004 | Baqubah | Was designed to seize insurgent equipment caches in hopes of disrupting terrorist activity before the Ramadan. |
Operation Mandarin Squeeze | October 14 2004 | October 14 2004 | Tikrit | Its purpose was threefold; deny insurgents sanctuary, promote the Tikrit job corps program, and assess essential services. |
Operation Mustang Socko | October 14 2004 | October 14 2004 | along the Tigris River | Detained several suspects and found several weapons caches |
Operation Tiger Cub | October 14 2004 | October 14 2004 | Baghdad | To improve the school supply and education system throughout the greater Balad area |
Operation Tangerine Squeeze | October 15 2004 | October 15 2004 | Tikrit | Called for a complete search of more than 300 homes |
Operation Crayon | October 21 2004 | October 21 2004 | Kirkuk | Was a charitable program that provided schools the pencils, crayons, papers and other materials necessary to teach children |
Operation Duliyah Sunrise | October 28 2004 | October 28 2004 | Ad Duluiyah | A raid on an upscale neighborhood to search for insurgent materials |
Operation Dallas | October 29 2004 | October 29 2004 | Mosul | Was designed to increase security by performing cordon and knocks throughout the community |
Operation Tiger Fury | October 30 2004 | 2004 | east of Balad | Was designed to stop insurgent activities and capture individuals suspected of being insurgents |
Operation Army Santa | November 2004 | November 2004 | Humanitarian: | |
Operation Duke Fury | November 03 2004 | November 03 2004 | Fallujah | To search for weapons caches and suspected insurgents |
Operation New Dawn (Al Fajr) | November 03 2004 | November 03 2004 | Fallujah | To search for weapons caches and suspected insurgents |
Operation Phantom Fury | November 07 2004 | December 23 2004 | Fallujah | Joint American/Iraqi assault on Fallujah. See also Operation Dawn (Al-Fajr) and 2nd Battle of Fallujah |
Operation Dawn (Al Fajr) | November 08 2004 | November 08 2004 | Fallujah | The elimination of Fallujah as a terrorist safe haven |
Battle of Mosul | November 10 2004 | November 16 2004 | Mosul | Was a battle fought during the Iraq War in 2004 for the capital of the Ninawa Governorate in northern Iraq that occurred concurrently to fighting in Fallujah. |
Operation Wolfhound Power | November 11 2004 | November 12 2004 | Hawja | To root insurgents out of the city |
Operation Wolfhound Jab | November 15 2004 | November 15 2004 | Tall Suseus and Rubaydhah | No one was detained and no weapon caches were found although reports were that the area contained insurgent sanctuaries |
Operation Rock Bottom | November 19 2004 | November 21 2004 | The searches netted numerous small arms, 10 detainees and three rockets | |
Operation Plymouth Rock | November 23 2004 | November 23 2004 | Baghdad, South of | Sweep south of Baghdad. |
Operation Tobruk | November 28 2004 | November 28 2004 | a village along the Euphrates river 8 km Northeast of Camp Dogwood | A search of the village for insurgents and Saddam loyalists |
Operation Wonderland | December 2004 | December 24 2004 | Ramadi | Netted 29 detainees and multiple weapons caches |
Operation Baton Rouge | December 01 2004 | December 04 2004 | Samarra | The operation resulted in about 125 rebels killed and 88 were being detained |
Operation Falcon Freedom | December 05 2004 | December 05 2004 | Al Rashid District | A joint U.S.-Iraqi cordon-and-search operation were several weapons caches were discovered |
Operation Soprano Sunset | December 06 2004 | December 06 2004 | Baghdad, eastern portion | Captured several suspected senior level transnational terrorists, including key leaders, operatives, and financiers |
Operation Iraqi Children | December 08 2004 | December 08 2004 | Baqubah | Soldiers delivered school supplies |
Operation Backbreaker | December 21 2004 | December 22 2004 | Buhriz | A project to fortify a new police station as well as the Governor’s mansion just down the road |
Operation Lion Cub | December 21 2004 | December 21 2004 | Tikrit | To deliver a load of toys to the children of the villages of Al Alam, Al Owja and Wynott |
Operation Powder River | December 31 2004 | January 02 2005 | Ad Duluiyah | Detained 49 individuals, descovered several weapons caches and searched 13 homes and the surrounding areas in a series of raids[4] |
Operation Triple Play | December 31 2004 | January 02 2005 | Salman Pak | To improve security for the upcoming elections in Iraq |
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ [1]Template:Fix/category[dead link]
- ↑ John Pike (3 March 2004). Operation Warrior. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved on 2011-12-21.
- ↑ John Pike. Operation Spring Clean-up. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved on 2011-12-21.
- ↑ Soldiers Detain 49 Suspects in 'Powder River' Raids. American Forces Press Service (December 31, 2004). Retrieved on 2014-12-26.
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