"The Battle for An Najaf"
1st Brigade Combat Team, “BASTOGNE” of the 101st Airborne Division
captures the city of An Najaf. The fight to destroy conventional and Saddam
Fedayeen forces in An Najaf, Iraq. April 2003.
The actions in and around An Najaf, Iraq in the early days of the war would
prove to be an historic step for US forces in the war against Saddam
Hussein. The myth that referred to the inability of US Forces to succeed in
the urban centers of Iraq would be crushed in the streets of An Najaf. More
importantly, the fight for An Najaf set the standard and precedence for
actions in all the major Iraqi cities, including Baghdad. Over the course of
two weeks, the 1st BCT demonstrated the soundness of our Army Doctrine
and the agility of the American Soldier. Fighting as a member of a joint and
combined arms team the “Bastogne” soldiers utilized the full range of
precision combat power from the rifleman and artillery to the employment of
armor, army aviation and coalition air force assets. The BCT synchronized
conventional, special operations, and Iraqi forces to gain a foothold, clear
the city, and initiate civil military operations. The result was the destruction of
enemy forces in An Najaf, the protection of critical religious and
infrastructure sites, and the initiation of humanitarian aid for the people of
Iraq. The balance of these diverse missions set the tone for the 101st
Division’s remaining ten months in Iraqi and set the precedence for future
Army operations.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team is a combined arms element which during
Operation Iraqi Freedom consisted of the following Battalions and
Companies:
HHC, 1st Brigade, 101st ABN 1-327 Infantry Battalion 2-327 Infantry
Battalion 3-327 Infantry Battalion
2-320 Field Artillery Battalion 5-101 Aviation Battalion 5-101 Aviation
Battalion 2-17 Calvary Squadron
426 Forward Support Battalion A/2-44 Air Defense Battery 318th
Psychological Operations Detachment A/326 Engineer Company
A/311 Military Intelligence Co 431st Civil Affairs Battalion A/2-70 Armor
Company
The 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) attacked to seize the city of An Najaf,
Iraq from 29 March 2003 to 8 April 2003. By succeeding in this mission, the
BCT destroyed hundreds of Saddam Fedayeen fighters, protected the
supply lines of the 3d Infantry Division and V Corps, and liberated the
840,000 residents of An Najaf. Following a 40hr Ground Assault Convoy, 1st
BCT attacked the southern and western sides of the city.
On 29 March, members of Task Force 1-327 attacked the Agricultural College
on the southern side of the city and TF 2-327 conducted mounted, armed
reconnaissance west of the city. Here the Tactics, Techniques and
Procedures for fighting in an urban environment were first put to the test. On
30 March, TF 1-327 continued the fight in the south to the military compound,
TF 3-327 attacked to seize the airfield, and TF 2-327 fired 41 anti-tank missiles
in the area around the “Golden Mosque of Ali” destroying multiple Fedayeen
strongholds without damaging this key religious site. By the end of the third
day of fighting, the success of the BCT was obvious.
By 1 April, TF 2-327 had seized the southwestern portion of the city and TF 3-
327 had cleared the eastern part of the city, the village of Al Kufa and the
bridge over the Euphrates River. In an effort to break the enemy’s morale, a
plan was devised to fight M1 tanks from 2-70 Armor through the main streets
of An Najaf. In the early morning hours, a platoon of tanks executed this
“Thunder Run” under intense small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire.
On 2 April, a second “Thunder Run” was conducted with HMMWVs. The
withering enemy fire did little to the US vehicles as they demonstrated both
the might of the US Army and the futility of the Iraqi resistance.
2 April again proved to be historic. On this fifth day of the fight in An Najaf, TF
2-327 had coordinated to meet with The Grand Ayatollah Sayyad Ali Al
Husayni, hoping to prevail upon him to publicly encourage the people of An
Najaf to cooperate with US forces and Coalition Troops. The Task Force’s
movement to the meeting was disrupted as B/2-327 turned toward the
Golden Mosque. Here the Battalion Commander, LTC Christopher Hughes,
moved with the company. Instantly idle chatter and curiosity turned to rage,
shaking fists, and throwing rocks. The crowd perceived that the U.S Soldiers
were trying to enter the mosque. The battalion commander recognized the
potential for violence and acted decisively to defuse the situation. In a
moment captured by the media from all over the world and transmitted
repeatedly on news networks for weeks afterwards, LTC Hughes ordered his
soldiers to take a knee, smile and to keep their weapons held in a non-
aggressive posture. Speaking words of reconciliation and respect, LTC
Hughes directed the disciplined movement of his unit to an area away from
the “Golden Mosque”. The crowd which until that moment showed every
indication of forcing the soldiers to shoot in self-defense, instantly
recognized the goodwill gesture. As fast as the murderous, rioting sentiment
had erupted in the mob, it was replaced by cheers and an indescribable
release of tension. Again, the discipline and judgment of the American
soldier was displayed as combat operations continued in the city.
The city of An Najaf was important both politically and strategically. Due to
its location along the Euphrates River and the bridges across it, the city had
to be liberated. In addition to this, the city’s population consisted of primarily
Shiites Muslims. It was calculated that by liberating An Najaf, the Shiites
would rise up and assist the Coalition in the battle. The process by which the
1st Brigade Combat Team liberated An Najaf became the template for all
coalition forces during the remainder of combat hostilities. The V Corps
Commander, LTG Wallace, spoke of An Najaf as the first major city liberated
and the scene of the first Saddam statue to be toppled.
The Battle for An Najaf – 1st Brigade Combat Team, “BASTOGNE” of the
101st Airborne Division captures the city of An Najaf, is dedicated to the
members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, “BASTOGNE”, who made the
ultimate sacrifice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The many heroes of this
incredible unit have nobly and willingly carried the accolades of their fallen
comrades forward to the next “Rendezvous with Destiny”.
captures the city of An Najaf. The fight to destroy conventional and Saddam
Fedayeen forces in An Najaf, Iraq. April 2003.
The actions in and around An Najaf, Iraq in the early days of the war would
prove to be an historic step for US forces in the war against Saddam
Hussein. The myth that referred to the inability of US Forces to succeed in
the urban centers of Iraq would be crushed in the streets of An Najaf. More
importantly, the fight for An Najaf set the standard and precedence for
actions in all the major Iraqi cities, including Baghdad. Over the course of
two weeks, the 1st BCT demonstrated the soundness of our Army Doctrine
and the agility of the American Soldier. Fighting as a member of a joint and
combined arms team the “Bastogne” soldiers utilized the full range of
precision combat power from the rifleman and artillery to the employment of
armor, army aviation and coalition air force assets. The BCT synchronized
conventional, special operations, and Iraqi forces to gain a foothold, clear
the city, and initiate civil military operations. The result was the destruction of
enemy forces in An Najaf, the protection of critical religious and
infrastructure sites, and the initiation of humanitarian aid for the people of
Iraq. The balance of these diverse missions set the tone for the 101st
Division’s remaining ten months in Iraqi and set the precedence for future
Army operations.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team is a combined arms element which during
Operation Iraqi Freedom consisted of the following Battalions and
Companies:
HHC, 1st Brigade, 101st ABN 1-327 Infantry Battalion 2-327 Infantry
Battalion 3-327 Infantry Battalion
2-320 Field Artillery Battalion 5-101 Aviation Battalion 5-101 Aviation
Battalion 2-17 Calvary Squadron
426 Forward Support Battalion A/2-44 Air Defense Battery 318th
Psychological Operations Detachment A/326 Engineer Company
A/311 Military Intelligence Co 431st Civil Affairs Battalion A/2-70 Armor
Company
The 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) attacked to seize the city of An Najaf,
Iraq from 29 March 2003 to 8 April 2003. By succeeding in this mission, the
BCT destroyed hundreds of Saddam Fedayeen fighters, protected the
supply lines of the 3d Infantry Division and V Corps, and liberated the
840,000 residents of An Najaf. Following a 40hr Ground Assault Convoy, 1st
BCT attacked the southern and western sides of the city.
On 29 March, members of Task Force 1-327 attacked the Agricultural College
on the southern side of the city and TF 2-327 conducted mounted, armed
reconnaissance west of the city. Here the Tactics, Techniques and
Procedures for fighting in an urban environment were first put to the test. On
30 March, TF 1-327 continued the fight in the south to the military compound,
TF 3-327 attacked to seize the airfield, and TF 2-327 fired 41 anti-tank missiles
in the area around the “Golden Mosque of Ali” destroying multiple Fedayeen
strongholds without damaging this key religious site. By the end of the third
day of fighting, the success of the BCT was obvious.
By 1 April, TF 2-327 had seized the southwestern portion of the city and TF 3-
327 had cleared the eastern part of the city, the village of Al Kufa and the
bridge over the Euphrates River. In an effort to break the enemy’s morale, a
plan was devised to fight M1 tanks from 2-70 Armor through the main streets
of An Najaf. In the early morning hours, a platoon of tanks executed this
“Thunder Run” under intense small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire.
On 2 April, a second “Thunder Run” was conducted with HMMWVs. The
withering enemy fire did little to the US vehicles as they demonstrated both
the might of the US Army and the futility of the Iraqi resistance.
2 April again proved to be historic. On this fifth day of the fight in An Najaf, TF
2-327 had coordinated to meet with The Grand Ayatollah Sayyad Ali Al
Husayni, hoping to prevail upon him to publicly encourage the people of An
Najaf to cooperate with US forces and Coalition Troops. The Task Force’s
movement to the meeting was disrupted as B/2-327 turned toward the
Golden Mosque. Here the Battalion Commander, LTC Christopher Hughes,
moved with the company. Instantly idle chatter and curiosity turned to rage,
shaking fists, and throwing rocks. The crowd perceived that the U.S Soldiers
were trying to enter the mosque. The battalion commander recognized the
potential for violence and acted decisively to defuse the situation. In a
moment captured by the media from all over the world and transmitted
repeatedly on news networks for weeks afterwards, LTC Hughes ordered his
soldiers to take a knee, smile and to keep their weapons held in a non-
aggressive posture. Speaking words of reconciliation and respect, LTC
Hughes directed the disciplined movement of his unit to an area away from
the “Golden Mosque”. The crowd which until that moment showed every
indication of forcing the soldiers to shoot in self-defense, instantly
recognized the goodwill gesture. As fast as the murderous, rioting sentiment
had erupted in the mob, it was replaced by cheers and an indescribable
release of tension. Again, the discipline and judgment of the American
soldier was displayed as combat operations continued in the city.
The city of An Najaf was important both politically and strategically. Due to
its location along the Euphrates River and the bridges across it, the city had
to be liberated. In addition to this, the city’s population consisted of primarily
Shiites Muslims. It was calculated that by liberating An Najaf, the Shiites
would rise up and assist the Coalition in the battle. The process by which the
1st Brigade Combat Team liberated An Najaf became the template for all
coalition forces during the remainder of combat hostilities. The V Corps
Commander, LTG Wallace, spoke of An Najaf as the first major city liberated
and the scene of the first Saddam statue to be toppled.
The Battle for An Najaf – 1st Brigade Combat Team, “BASTOGNE” of the
101st Airborne Division captures the city of An Najaf, is dedicated to the
members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, “BASTOGNE”, who made the
ultimate sacrifice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The many heroes of this
incredible unit have nobly and willingly carried the accolades of their fallen
comrades forward to the next “Rendezvous with Destiny”.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
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All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be
reproduced without their consent.
reproduced without their consent.
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