Army University Press presents part one of the OIF series, “OIF: The Drive to Baghdad.”
This documentary addresses the opening stages of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in March and April 2003, and includes lessons from current U.S. Army doctrine.

On 19 March 2003, President George W. Bush announced the beginning of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, authorizing the use of armed force to overthrow Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein. U.S. Central Command had been working nonstop since 9/11 on a plan to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s regime. The film begins in Summer 2002 with CENTCOM's plans for the possible invasion of Iraq and the creation of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command as the main ground command for the planned invasion. The film then covers the crossing of the berm, the seizure of Tallil Air Base, the battle for As Samawah, the fight for An Najaf, and the movement through the Karbala Gap. The film ends on 1 April with V Corps and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force preparing to move to the next objective on the way to Baghdad. The Soldiers of V Corps had advanced over 300 kilometers into Iraq in 11 days, fought both regular and irregular Iraqi forces, withstood sandstorms, and lost comrades.

At 50 minutes in length, this film is full of historical footage and photographs, virtual terrain, animated maps, and oneonone interviews with Veterans of the conflict.

Chapters:
Introduction – 0:00
Preparing for the Invasion – 5:17
Iraqi Armed Forces – 9:53
The Fight for Objective FIREBIRD – 11:11
The Fight for Objective RAMS – 18:49
‘Mother of all Sandstorms” – 26:55
Five Simultaneous Attacks – 28:34
The Fight for An Najaf – 33:03
The Fight for Objective MURRAY – 42:00
Opening the Door – 44:44
Credits – 49:30

Doctrine:
Operational Initiative (ADP 30) – 4:47
Shape Activities (FM 30) – 5:38
Training and Rehearsals (ADP 60) – 7:28
Forward Passage of Lines (ADP 390) – 9:23
Combined Arms (ADP 30) – 12:22
Supply during LSCO (FM 30) – 15:10
Feint (FM 30) – 16:30
Forward Arming and Refueling Point (ATP 304.17) – 19:03
Sustainment (ADP 40) – 21:43
Deep Area (FM 30) – 23:33
Risk (ADP 60) – 24:38
Center of Gravity (ATP 50.1) – 29:07
Consolidating Gains (FM 30) – 30:17
Deception at the Corps Level (FM 30) – 31:10
Raid (FM 30) – 38:30
Reconnaissance in Force (FM 30) – 39:18
Security Forces (FM 30) – 44:05
Operational Art (FM 30) – 45:37

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