1

OPERATION AL FAJR

The Battle of Fallujah

Major Todd M. Hunt

2

Damage Prevention• Organizational Actions

– Proper Preparation

• Planning and Rehearsals

• Detailed Orders and Instructions

• Coordination and Focus of Resources – Leveraging Technology

– Opportunity Driven Operations

• Intent Driven

• Flexible and Adaptable

– Operational Risk Management

• Consequence and Probability of Occurrence

• Mitigation

– Leadership and Supervision

• Individual Actions

– Professional Training and Execution

– Initiative Driven - Creativity

– Courageous Leaders

– Responsible Action

– Standards of the Nation

3

Background• Fallujah

– Center of Criminal Activity

– Isolated City

– Infrastructure in Shambles

• Timeline

– Ambush of “Blackwater” Contractors

(31 March 04)

– Operation Vigilant Resolve Commences

(April 04)

– Fallujah Brigade Stands-up

• Enemy Forces

– Former Regime Elements

– Islamic Extremists

– Tribes

– Criminal Elements

4

Ramadi

Habbaniyah

Fallujah

Zaidon

Saqlawiyah

Abu Ghurayb

Baghdad

Khalidiyah

Fallujah and Surrounding Cities

Karmah

Nassir Wal Salam

Al Amariyah

SYRIA

SAUDI ARABIA

IRAN

KUWAIT

JORDAN

FALLUJAH

BAGHDAD

5

Jolan Park

Government Center

Jolan District

Railroad Station

Hadrah Mosque

Industrial District

Clover Leaf

MSR Mobile

Fallujah

Hospital

MSR Michigan

South Bridge

North Bridge

Fallujah

Key TerrainMajor Todd M. Hunt

Euphrates River

6

TCP-1

FALLUJAH THREAT OVERVIEW (OCTOBER 2004)

Legend

C2 Node

Insurgent Concentration

Road Block(s)

Fighting/Def. Positions

Berm(s)

Checkpoint

Small Arms POO

IDF POO

Sniper Fire/Position

Weapons Cache

C2

C2

C2

Major Todd M. Hunt

7

Mission

AT H HOUR ON D+1, 1ST MARINE DIVISION (-)

(REIN) ATTACKS TO DESTROY ANTI-IRAQI

FORCES IN FALLUJAH IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH

LEGITIMATE LOCAL CONTROL

8

SSF

Fallujah

EnvironsRamadi

Task OrganizationFallujah Western AO N. Babil

118

1 1

IIF

4 1

IIF

2 1

IIF

5 3

IAF

6 3

IAF

DIV RESERVE

36TH CDO

GEN. SUPPORT

BLACK WATCH

I

ING

SSF

SSFSSF

SSF

SSFSSF

SSF

(-)

(Rein)

3 5

(Rein)

3 1

C

(-)

(-)(Rein)

B 2

scc

(-)

2 7

1ANGLICO

2 1

FORCE

BSEAL

ASEAL

1 - 4

(Rein)

1 8

1

(-)(Rein)

RCT-7x

1

IIF

A 3

2A

(-) (-)(Rein)

C 22

C 122C

(-)

CSEAL

(Rein)

12 BCT

x

5031

5061

(Rein)

52

B 5-5

44

3 - 82A

31 24

(Rein)

1 23

1

(Rein)

7

S 10

AZERBAIJANI

1 5

1 5

759 MP

2

14M

A 2

4B

(-)

MP2 11

(Rein)

1 2

(-)

24

MP

(Rein)

2 24

1 - 4

2 BCT

(Rein)

2

x(-)(Rein)

RCT-1

3

44

ACE

44

ACE

HHC

HHC

2 2

1

(-)

93

(-)(Rein)

9

PHASE I

(Preparation/Shaping)• OPERATIONAL PLANNING

– ROC DRILLS/REHEARSAL

• MOVEMENT OF FORCES

– RIP/ BATTLE HANDOVERS WITHIN THE DIVISION AO

– BLACK WATCH TO NORTH BABIL

• INTEGRATION

– IRAQI SECURITY FORCES

– U.S. ARMY UNITS

– JOINT SPECIAL OPERATION SNIPERS

• FSSG BUILDS IRON MOUNTAIN

- SET CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS -

10

PHASE I

(Preparation/Shaping)• FEINTS

• RAIDS

• CORDON AND SEARCHES

• VEHICLE CHECKPOINTS (VCPS)

• INDIRECT FIRES AND CAS

• INFORMATION OPS AND PSYOPS

• TARGETING OF AIF LEADERSHIP

• SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES TARGETING OF HIGH-VALUE TARGETS

DESIRED ENEMY ENDSTATE

- CONFUSED AS TO MNF INTENTIONS

- WEDGE DRIVEN BETWEEN

POPULACE AND AIF

- C2 NODES EXPOSED AND DESTROYED

- DEFENSES IDENTIFIED

- HEIGHTENED STATE OF PARANOIA

AND ANXIETY

VEHICLE CHECKPOINTFEINT

A 2

(Rein)

3 5

(Rein)

3 1

5031

11

PHASE II D-DAY (7 NOV 04)(Enhanced Shaping)

• ISOLATION OF FALLUJAH BY BLACK JACK BRIGADE

• MOVEMENT OF FORCES INTO ATTACK POSITIONS

• JOINT FIRES

• ELECTRONIC ATTACK

• PENINSULA ASSAULT– FALLUJAH HOSPITAL SECURED

– BRIDGES SECURED/BLOCKING POSITIONS ESTABLISHED

12

ATK

ATK ATK

36 CDO

JOLAN PARK

GOV’T CENTER

HADRAH MOSQUE

PHASE II ENHANCED SHAPING

XX

1 1

IIF

5 3

IAF2 1

IIF

SSF

SSF

SSF SSF

6 3

IAF

4 1

IIF

I

ING

(-)

(-)

ME: RCT- 1 (-)(REIN)•ON D-DAY BLOCK ACCESS TO THE PENINSULA

•MOVE INTO ATTACK POSITIONS

TF 3RD LAR •AT H-HOUR (1900L) ON D-DAY, ATTACK IN ZONE TO

SECURE THE PENINSULA

•NLT H+6 ESTABLISH BLOCKING POS IVO OF (2) BRIDGES

36 CDO•NLT H+8, SEIZE FALLUJAH HOSPITAL

SE1: RCT-7 (-)(REIN)•MOVE INTO ATTACK POSITIONS

SE2: BLACK JACK BDE•GUARD MOVEMENT OF ASSAULT BNs INTO APs

•INTERDICT INSURGENTS IN AO RALEIGH

•BLOCK SOUTH/SOUTHEAST OF FALLUJAH

2

(-)

(Rein)

12 BCT

x

(Rein)

3 5

(Rein)

3 12 7

(Rein)

1 8

1 3

3

(-)(Rein)

2 2

Major Todd M. Hunt

13

PHASE III D+1 (8 NOV 04)

(Assault)

• RAPID PENETRATION INTO CITY

– EXPLOIT SHOCK, FIREPOWER, AND MOBILITY OF ARMORED FORCES

– COMBINED ARMS ATTACK• ARMY/MARINE ARTILLERY

• JOINT CLOSE AIR SUPPORT

• SEARCH AND ATTACK IN ZONE

• BLACK JACK BRIGADE CONTINUES TO ISOLATE FALLUJAH AND PROTECT DIVISION REAR AREA

• INTELLIGENCE EXPLOITATION

• INFORMATION OPERATIONS

14

JOLAN PARK

GOV’T CENTER

HADRAH MOSQUE

S

PHASE III-A

ME: RCT 1 (-)(REIN)•AT A-HOUR (1900L) ON D+1, CONDUCT PENETRATION IN

ZONE

•CONTINUE ATTACK TO SECURE JOLAN DISTRICT

SE1: RCT-7 (-)(REIN)•AT A-HOUR, CONDUCT PENETRATION IN ZONE TO

SEIZE HADRAH MOSQUE & GOV’T CENTER

•SECURE MSR MICHIGAN IN ZONE

SE2: BLACK JACK BDE•INTERDICT INSURGENTS IN AO RALEIGH

•BLOCK SOUTH/SOUTHEAST OF FALLUJAH

•SECURITY OF MSR MOBILE & MICHIGAN IN ZONE

XX

SSF

1 1

IIF 1

IIF

36 CDO

6 3

IAF

(-)

SSFSSF

IIF

2 1

5 3

IAF

(-)

2 1

IIF

(-)

SSF

3

(-)(Rein)

scc

(Rein)

3 5

2 7

(Rein)

3 1

(Rein)

12 BCT

x

2

1 3

(-)(Rein)

7(-)(Rein)

1

(Rein)

1 8 2 2

I

ING

4 1

IIF

15

JOLAN PARK

HADRAH MOSQUE

PLANNED PHASE III-A (NOT EXECUTED)

SSF

6 3

IAF

1

IIF

36 CDO

(-)

(-)(Rein)

1

(-)(Rein)

7

scc

3

(-)(Rein) 1 3

2

(Rein)

12 BCT

x2 2

ME: RCT 1 (-)(REIN)•SEARCH & ATTACK IN ZONE

SE1: RCT-7 (-)(REIN)•CONTINUE SEARCH & ATTACK IN ZONE (SOUTHERN

FALLUJAH)

•SECURE MSR MICHIGAN IN ZONE

SE2: BLACK JACK BDE•INTERDICT INSURGENTS IN AO RALEIGH

•BLOCK SOUTH/SOUTHEAST OF FALLUJAH

•SECURITY OF MSR MOBILE & MICHIGAN IN ZONE

(Rein)

1 8

GOV’T CENTER

16

JOLAN PARKGOV’T CENTER

HADRAH MOSQUE

PHASE III-A BRANCH PLAN (EXECUTED 11 NOV)

ME: RCT-1 (-) (REIN)•CONTINUE PENETRATION SOUTH

•SEARCH & ATTACK NORTH OF MSR

MICHIGAN

SE1: RCT-7 (-) (REIN)•CONTINUE PENETRATION SOUTH

•SEARCH & ATTACK NORTH OF MSR

MICHIGAN

SE2: BLACKJACK BDE•CONTINUE TO ISOLATE FALLUJAH

BPT SBF

O/O RFL 1

O/O RFL 2

63

IAF

1 1

IIF

36 CDO

SSF

4 1

IIF

1

IIF

IIF

2 1

5 3

IAF

IIF

2 1

IIF

2 1

SSF

(Rein)

12 BCT

x

(-)

3

(-)(Rein)

scc

(Rein)

3 1

(Rein)

3 5

(Rein)

1 8

1 3

2

2 2

(-)(Rein)

1

(-)(Rein)

7

2 7

17

JOLAN PARKGOV’T CENTER

HADRAH MOSQUE

PHASE III-B SEARCH AND ATTACK IN ZONE (13 NOV 04)

SSF

6 3

IAF

1

IIF

1 1

IIF

2 1

IIF

5 3

IAF

4 1

IIF

(Rein)

12 BCT

x

2

3

(-)(Rein)

(-)

(Rein)

3 1

(Rein)

1 8

1 3

(Rein)

3 5

(-)(Rein)

7(-)(Rein)

1

Major Todd M. Hunt

18

JOLAN PARKCMOC

ECP

3Civilians

ECP

2

Civilians

ECP

1

ECP

4

ECP

5

Hospital Access

Entry Control Point (ECP)

Humanitarian Assistance Site

PHASE IV TRANSITION

BRAHMA PARK

DAVE’S FIELD

Military/Contractors/

IIG Traffic

Military/Contractors/

Civilians

(Rein)

3 1

1 3

(Rein)

3 5(-)(Rein)

1

A 2

Major Todd M. Hunt

19

Enemy Tactics

DEFENSIVE BELTS

– DAISY CHAINED IEDs

– SMALL UNIT STRONGPOINTS

– USE OF PROTECTED SITES (e.g.

MOSQUES, SCHOOLS

– TUNNEL SYSTEMS

– WEAPONS CACHES

– HIT AND FALL BACK

– INDIRECT FIRE

– FALSE SURRENDER

– DRUG USE

ATTRITION

– VBIED OR SUICIDE BOMBERS

– BOOBY-TRAPS

• BUILDINGS/CACHES

• INSURGENTS (DEAD AND WOUNDED)

– SNIPERS

– LAST STAND POSITIONS

SUICIDE VESTS IEDs WEAPONS CACHE

20

1ST MARDIV DISCOVERIES IN FALLUJAH

WPNS CACHE (568)

MOSQUES USED AS FIGHTING POSITIONS (47)

IED FACTORY (24)

VBIED FACTORY (2)

C2 NODES (13)

HOSTAGE LOCATIONS (4)

21

PHASE III INTO PHASE IV

• CONTINUE CLEARING OPERATIONS

• SANITATION IMPROVEMENTS

• ELECTRICAL GRID REPAIRS

• PEST CONTROL

• ENTRY CONTROL POINTS ESTABLISHED

• ESTABLISH CMOC

• REMAINS REMOVAL

• FOOD DISTRIBUTION

• EOD/CACHE CLEARANCE

• WATER REMOVAL

• RUBBLE REMOVAL

SEABEES

ARMY/MARINE CAG

ARMY/MARINE/NAVY EOD

USAF DOG TEAMSCIVILIAN CONTRACTERS

ARMY/MARINE ENGINEERS

IRAQI GOV’T OFFICIALS

22

• PHASED RETURN BY DISTRICT

(23 DEC 04 – 14 JAN 05)

– LINKED TO HUMANITARIAN

RESOURCES & SECURITY

• CIVIL AFFAIRS PROVIDED BASIC

NEEDS FOR RETURNING CITIZENS

• ISF AND MNF PROVIDED SECURITY

& HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

• RESTORATION OF BASIC

SERVICES (UTILITIES/MEDICAL)

Population Resettlement

JOLAN

ASKARI

DUBAT (OFFICERS)

NAZAL – AL KHADRA’

SHUHADA

NAZAL – AL TA’ MIM

NAZAL – AL RIJALAH

JUBAYL

SINA’AH

DUBAT

SOOK

KAZAAR

MUALLIMEEN

AL-ANDALAS

SHORTAGUJAYR

MEDANIIN

Entry Control Point

Re-settlement Order

1

23

4

5

4

8 9

13

17

18

3

2

11

10

12

1

1415

7

6

5

16

#

23

Elections in Fallujah

• 30 JANUARY 05

• FIVE POLLING CENTERS

• IECI VOLUNTEERS

• SIGNIFICANT VOTER TURN-OUT

DESPITE SUNNI BOYCOTT AND

INSURGENT INTIMIDATION

• ISF PROVIDED SECURITY

24Sgt Norwood 3/1 Fallujah