Operation Iraqi Freedom: After 15 Years, a Look Back

By Joseph Miechle

Hampton Roads Naval Museum Educator

Fifteen years ago this week, large scale combat operations began in what would be known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. While the “Shock and Awe” campaign we saw on television was largely attributed to the ground operations, we ought not forget that the professionalism and dedication to duty exhibited by members of the US Navy, both ashore, at sea and in the air, contributed greatly to the success of the campaign. Five carrier groups were operating in the area when hostilities commenced and, the 32 ships of Commander, Task Force-51 composed the largest amphibious force assembled since the Inchon landing during the Korean War. Many of the ships that saw service in the war were either built in or were homeported in Hampton Roads, as were the squadrons that operated from them.  Here are just a few of them.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

030320-N-0275F-501 The Mediterranean Sea (Mar. 20, 2003) - USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) currently deployed, powers through the Mediterranean Sea conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Todd M. Flint)

030321-N-6895M-503 The Mediterranean (Mar. 21, 2003) -- An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the "Valions" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Five (VFA-15) prepares to launch from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW 8) are on deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class James K. McNeil)

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) was built at Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned on October 25, 1986. The following is from NHHC ships histories online.

USS Theodore Roosevelt launched her first strikes of Iraqi Freedom overnight on March 22 and 23, 2003. Scores of Sailors jammed the topside spaces of the carrier including Vulture’s Row to watch the first of 20 aircraft commence launching at 0145. Aircrew wearing night-vision goggles watched the chilling sight of Iraqi anti-aircraft rounds lighting up the night sky, broken by occasional glimpses of surface-to-air missiles hurtling upward toward them. The raid nonetheless blasted Iraqi command and control and infrastructure targets, including one of Saddam Hussein’s palace complexes utilized as military facilities, and one of the primary Iraqi AM broadcasting stations used to direct their troops.

         

030529-N-6607P-005 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (May 29, 2003) -- Sailors man the rails as USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is given a heroes' welcome by friends and family members of the crew on the pier. The Roosevelt is returning from deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Delia Pettit)

 These aerial missions from USS Theodore Roosevelt into Iraq typically required up to five to six hours of flight time, including at least one or more rendezvous’ with orbiting airborne tankers. The aircraft navigated these exhausting flights at night, and at times through turbulent air and violent thunderstorms. The jets made their initial bombing runs, but then often undertook additional link-ups with tankers, sometimes followed by further attacks before returning to the ship. USS Theodore Roosevelt returned home on May 26 and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Unit Citation, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

030131-N-5027S-003 At sea with USS Saipan (LHA 2) Jan. 31, 2003 -- The amphibious assault ships USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Bataan (LHD 5) sail in formation aft of the assault ship USS Saipan, while conducting simultaneous vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operations at sea. All three ships are deployed as part of Amphibious Task Force-East (ATF-E), conducting missions in support of support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Robert M. Schalk)

030323-N-5732L-535 The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 23, 2003) -- Aviation Chief Boatswains Mate David Kouskouris signals the launch of an AV-8 Harrier from the flight deck of the USS Bataan (LHD 5) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraqs weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 1st Class Jimmy D. Lee)

USS Bataan (LHD 5) is currently homeported in Norfolk, Virginia as it was in 2003. The following is from NHHC ships histories online.

From March 20 through May 31, Bataan conducted operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bataan supported Commander Fifth Fleet and Commander Task Force 51 in the destruction of elite Republican Guard troops deep inside Iraq. During Iraqi Freedom, the ship operated exclusively as an AV-8B Harrier II platform with 26 AV-8Bs on board, dubbed the first "Harrier Carrier." The deployment included 797 combat sorties of more than 1,400 combat hours. On April 20, Bataan, along with Boxer (LHD 4), Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Kearsarge (LHD 3), Saipan (LHA 2), and Tarawa (LHA 1), operated with 26 other ships of Task Force 51 in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Command elements onboard Bataan during Operation Iraqi Freedom included Tactical Air Control Squadron Twenty-one, Detachment Two; Naval Beach Group Two, Detachment 1; Assault Craft Unit Four, Detachment 1, Helicopter Support Squadron Six, Detachment; and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment, Mobile Unit Two. Bataan had elements of Task Force Tarawa embarked from January 12 through June 24.  

 

    

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14)

030327-N-3783H-147 Umm Qasr, Iraq (Mar. 27, 2003) -- Members of Commander Task Unit (CTU-55.4.3) unload supplies during a sandstorm from an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, assigned to the "Vanguards" of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14). CTU-55.4.3 consists of U.S. Naval Special Clearance Team-1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Units 6 and 8, Fleet Diving Unit 3 from the United Kingdom, and a Clearance Dive Team from Australia, all are conducting deep/shallow water mine counter measure operations to clear shipping lanes. The unit was instrumental in clearing the way for the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Landing Ship Logistic RFA Sir Galahad (L 3005), which delivered the first wave of humanitarian aid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 2nd Class Bob Houlihan)

An CH-53 as seen from the ground outside Baghdad International Airport on April 16, 2003. (Photo by Joseph Miechle)

A watercolor entitled, "A Preflight Walk around a MH-53 Helicopter." (Navy Art Collection)

Since 1978, HM-14 has been based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79)

021205-N-4374S-011 Norfolk, Va., (Dec. 5, 2002) -- Sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) prepare to retrieve mooring lines before getting underway with the Harry S. Truman Battle Group on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy Photo by Photographers Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg)

030119-N-0000X-001 The Strait of Gibraltar (Jan. 19, 2003) -- The guided missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) escorts Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 19) into the Mediterranean Sea. The two ships are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy Photo)

USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) is currently homeported in Norfolk, Virginia as it was in 2003.

One of the many destroyers deployed in support of carrier groups was USS Oscar Austin. In support of ground operations, destroyers, cruisers and submarines fired more than 300 Tomahawk cruise missiles at military targets deep in Iraq on March 21, 2003. Oscar Austin fired 32 of those missiles, some of the effects of which were viewed by many back in the United States on the cable news network CNN. "We have just begun the next phase of attacks in Iraq," said Rear Adm. Matthew G. Moffit. Oscar Austin remained on station until major hostilities ceased and returned to Norfolk. For actions on this deployment, the ship was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

030323-N-5932S-007 The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 23, 2003) -- Two Naval Aviators assigned to Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) prepare for a brief in a squadron ready room aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) prior to conducting combat flight operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Lori A Steenstra)

030324-N-9228K-012 The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 24, 2003) -- An Aviation Ordnanceman checks over racks of precision guided ordnance before moving them to the 'bomb farm', on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Linconln and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) are conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Third Class Michael S. Kelly)

030325-N-9593M-010 Arabian Gulf (Mar. 25, 2003) -- A Naval aviator assigned to the "Strikers" of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Three (VFA-113) gives the thumbs up to his plane captain signaling that he and his F/A-18C Hornet are ready to launch from one of four steam driven catapults aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Philip A. McDaniel)

Aircraft flying from Abraham Lincoln encountered heavy Iraqi antiaircraft fire during a strike on 21 March 2003. “It looked like a string of 50 firecrackers that all went off at the same time,” 29-year-old Super Hornet pilot Lt. Eric Doyle from Houston, Texas, explained. “Like mini-space shuttles going up. And the plumes – the plumes of flame trailing them!” By the time Abraham Lincoln returned to the United States it had flown 16,500 sorties that resulted in 1.6 million pounds of ordnance discharged on targets in Iraq. It had also spent a record-making 290 days deployed. This was the longest deployment of a nuclear carrier in US Navy history. It should be no surprise that 161,839 pounds of coffee was also consumed on this momentous cruise.

030502-N-9214D-002 Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif. (May 2, 2003) -- Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) man the rails as the ship pulls into NAS North Island to a cheering crowd of family and friends during their port visit to off-load the ship's air wing. Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) are returning from a 10-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The banner above them, made infamous after serving as a backdrop to President George W. Bush's announcement of the end of major combat operations made from the carrier's deck the day before, was created to acknowledge the crew's mission accomplishment; not to mark the end of the war. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Juan E. Diaz)

USS Abraham Lincoln (DDG 79) was homeported at Naval Station Everett, Washington in 2003 and was moved to Hampton Roads in 2011.

Fifteen years after the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the United States Navy continues to operate ships off the coast of Iraq as part of the 5th Fleet. While major combat operations for coalition forces have ceased, the Navy continues to support allied Iraqi forces in their efforts to defeat the so-called Islamic State and restore peace to their country. 

Editor's note: Joseph Miechle was deployed to Iraq as part of an Army air defense unit during the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom.