U.S. Army LTC Darron Wright and former U.S. Coast Guard officer Mike Walling join forces to detail a complete, unique history of the Iraq War through first-hand, street-level accounts of the key events and battles that shaped the conflict.

From 2003 through 2010, more than 200,000 men and women were deployed in Iraq. For seven years, they fought ferociously in the blistering sands in the Land Between the Two Rivers. Some fought for pride or survival, some to bring democracy to a forsaken land that has known only tyranny and strife.

Scores of books have been published about the war, most criticizing the strategies and execution. Some have been personal memoirs capturing the heroism and sacrifice. Here U.S. Army LTC Darron Wright, a proven combat leader, joins forces with author Mike Walling to lift the veil on the Iraq War, revealing the build-up of troops; the equipping, training, and planning; the capture of Saddam Hussein; the formation of the new Government; and the last patrol.

Through vivid stories and military documents, this provides readers with a first-hand of the full conflict.

Autorentext

LTC Darron L. Wright has served in the U.S. Army for 26 years. He was first assigned to active duty in 1991, when he served as a platoon leader, company executive officer, and company commander with the 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. From 2000-01 he served as the chief of operations for 7th Infantry Division. LTC Wright has served three tours in Iraq. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. LTC Wright earned his master's degree in Strategic Studies and National Security Decision Making from the Naval War College.

Zusammenfassung
From 2003 through 2010, more than 200,000 men and women were deployed in Iraq. For seven years, they fought ferociously in the blistering sands in the Land Between the Two Rivers. Some fought for pride or survival, some to bring democracy to a forsaken land that has known only tyranny and strife. Scores of books have been published about the war, most criticizing the strategies and execution. Some have been personal memoirs capturing the heroism and sacrifice. Here U.S. Army LTC Darron Wright, a proven combat leader, joins forces with author Mike Walling to lift the veil on the Iraq War, revealing the build-up of troops; the equipping, training, and planning; the capture of Saddam Hussein; the formation of the new Government; and the last patrol. Through vivid stories and military documents, this provides readers with a first-hand of the full conflict.

Inhalt

Prologue

Chapter 1 Background Briefing
The Army Prior to September 11, 2001

Chapter 2 The Road to War
September 2001-March 2003

Chapter 3 Shock and Awe
The Invasion Begins, March-May 2003

Chapter 4 Transition to Phase IV
Post-invasion Operations, June-August 2003

Chapter 5 An Insurgency Takes Root
August 2003-March 2004

Chapter 6 On the Brink of Civil War
March 2004-October 2006

Chapter 7 The Surge
November 2006-June 2009

Chapter 8 "Wahid" Iraq
June 2009-March 2010

Chapter 9 Ballots over Bullets
Iraqi 2010 National Elections, March-July 2010

Chapter 10 The Last Combat Patrol
Tactical Road March out of Iraq into Kuwait, July-August

Epilogue

Appendices
A. Heroes
B. Rules of Engagement (ROE), March 2003
C. Military Decision Making Process (MDMP)
D. 1-8 Infantry (M) Task Organization, April 2003-March 2004
E. 4th Brigade/4th Infantry Division, Task Organization from OIF 05-07 from November 2005 to October 2006
F. 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team/2nd Infantry Division (4-2 SBCT), Task Organization for OIF 09-10 from September 2009 to August 2010
G. Iraqi Security Agreement
H. U.S. Army Drawdown and Transformation

Notes
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Index