Thread by @USArmyCMH

20 MARCH 2003 – OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM GROUND CAMPAIGN BEGINS - 20th ANNIVERSARY

The main thrust of the OIF ground assault burst forth from Kuwait, with the I MEF striking northwards while the U.S. Army’s V Corps swung northwest to towards the lower Euphrates Valley.

The 3rd ID led the charge, breaching an earthen berm on the border and blitzing about 90 miles northwards to seize the enemy airbase at Tallil by 22 MAR. 3rd ID elements secured critical Euphrates River crossings and reached As Samawah, 130 miles away from Kuwait.

By 23 MAR, the 101st ABD was conducting attack helicopter assaults which penetrated as far as Baghdad. Special Forces units attached to Task Force Viking and Task Force Dagger penetrated Iraq from the northeast and southwest during these early days of OIF. #Armyhistory #USArmy

Hussein’s military did not immediately capitulate, and offered resistance that showed it would surrender lightly. The 4th ID had to reposition itself because of Turkey’s refusal to permit operations on its territory and was in-transit at OIF’s start.

@USArmy @TRADOC @SecArmy

V Corps’ initial operations were a resounding success, quickly achieving its opening objectives even without all “necessary” forces or a lengthy pre-invasion air campaign. #3ID #4ID #AllAmerican #ScreamingEagles #USMC #OIF #MilitaryHistory #OperationIraqiFreedom

The Army was well on its way to Baghdad, which would fall less than three weeks later.

#TRADOC #IraqWar #WarOnTerror #SpecialForces @ArmyChiefStaff @FORSCOM