The First Baghdad Thunder Run, Iraq 2003 - Animated

Thank you World of Tanks for sponsoring this video.
During registration use the invite code COMBAT to get for free: 7 days of premium access, 250k credits, the premium tank Cromwell B, and 3 rental tanks for 10 battles each: Tiger 131, T78, and Type 64 if you’re a new player.
For returning players (who already have a WG Account AND haven’t played WOT for 30 or more days): 3 days of premium access, the 2D Style “Bargain” camouflage, 7-day rental of Premium Tank Centurion Mk. 5/1 RAAC or a 100k credits compensation, if you already have this tank in your garage.

The US 3rd Infantry Division arrives at the outskirts of Baghdad. After quickly securing the Saddam International Airport, a plan to maraud an armoured column through the centre of the city is put into motion. The theory is that if it works, it will bring such shock and awe that the Iraqi leadership will crumble. However, Saddam's forces and foreign fighters are motivated to defend their capital.

[TheOperationsRoom]

Thank you World of Tanks for sponsoring this video.
During registration use the invite code COMBAT to get for free: 7 days of premium access, 250k credits, the premium tank Cromwell B, and 3 rental tanks for 10 battles each: Tiger 131, T78, and Type 64 if you’re a new player.
For returning players (who already have a WG Account AND haven’t played WOT for 30 or more days): 3 days of premium access, the 2D Style “Bargain” camouflage, 7-day rental of Premium Tank Centurion Mk. 5/1 RAAC or a 100k credits compensation, if you already have this tank in your garage.

[Cyndr_]

Recently, Booker got one of the highest honors you can get. A new model of American armored vehicle is getting named after him

[martinconway]

“Sir, that’s not a Recon en Force. That’s an Assault”

*gravely voice* “Semantics!”

[ReiMonCoH]

I remember Baghdad Bob almost Yelling “what attack, there is no attack” even as we changed the name of his airport. 😆😆I can’t remember what card he was. Ace of something I think

[CaptinLongdong]

My battalion relieved those guys a year later. Had no idea they did that shit. I was shocked to see you share some of those pictures I've had for 20yrs that they shared with me before they left.

[atmicpny]

I was there in April 4th when we lost Lt. Brian Mcphillips. The 4 other injured Marines mentioned at around minute 8:50 where Sgt. John Dale, Cpl. Tabares, Lcpl. McMahon and Sgt. Roberto "Big Turkey" Pavon. Tow/Scout Platoon, 8th Tank Battalion. SEMPER FI

[soup]

I was there B co 3-7 infantry, it was our crossed attached tankers that blew up the plane.
I was on the radio when the tanks just started shooting everything they had.
Company commander called them up and ask what the contact was, tanker PL called back and said “recon by fire”.
Then a second later you hear a hot mic say “dismounts near the plane, shoot shoot!”
Then i swear the sun rose in the north! Thought they had hit a gas pipeline but it was the plane going up.
Then i looked left just in time to see the M998 slip off the trail and in to the culvert filled with water. Two men came up, two others very killed
SFC Wilber Davis and our reporter were both killed.
We got them out and did cpr for 20 mins till the medevac came in.

[Casperx]

Thank you for this series Ops. I was there I MEF. 7th ESB. If my son were ever to ask about the conflict I would direct him to your channel above all else. Good work!

[schlirf]

I remember LTC Kim Olmstead telling us in the 1/1 CAV about the Thunder runs in Vietnam. Its a good tactic but only with the proper support and Recon.

[reecehewitt]

🙂I really enjoy watching your videos and learning more about battles from history. Thanks for such great content!

[MM]

The road section from where 3rd ID made the turn off the interchange to the airport (the Qadisiya expressway) was actually MUCH worse than Op Room's map. It was a wide dual-lane highway divided by a median, but both outer sides were lined with trees and brush, and then there was a a high wall which in turn was overlooked by almost continuous lines of two- and three-story housing for more than two miles. It was a miniature urban canyon formed along the road. You couldn't ASK for a better shooting gallery for RPG and infantry teams to set up in.
Thank god the Iraqis are such lousy warriors.

(Post-script: one of the first things the Coalition did at the start of the occupation was cut down all the trees along the Qadisiya to improve sight-lines and prevent sniping/grenade throwing)

[arsjproductions]

Thank you so much for these in depth videos. I love learning history and combat operations. My dad served in Iraqi Freedom in the 3rd ID so this is also interesting to see the enviornment he was in.

[IndianaDiecastRacing]

leaping from HMMWV to HMMWV in the middle of a firefight while flying down the road is the most badass thing ever

[Calico_Jack_]

Thank you for your continued series. As much as it was broadcast on MSM, so many don't know what happened.

[TJ]

I was based out of FOB Falcon in 06-07. Been up and down that highway at least a hundred times.

[adamstephenson]

I follow a lot of military history channels. And you videos are head and shoulders above the rest. your detailed animation with step by step explanation my favorite way to learn about battles 🤙

[unibeastbeats]

personally apologizing from soldier to soldier, shows some character

[ThatOneGuyWhoLostHisHandle]

20:14 these people never cease to amaze XD "surely my Toyota Hilux will annihilate or disable this giant war machine yes?"

[brow]

These 'Iraqi Freedom' and other 2000s conflict videos are the best! Thanks for making these! I hadn't heard of the second thunder run until this video.

[manuelacosta]

Surprising and ironic that Syrian volunteers where among the defenders of Baghdad considering the highly acrimonious, and deadly split between the Iraqi and Syrian Baath party factions. Most of the party's top leaders wound up assassinated or executed by one another's intelligence services.