Ad-Hoc Units and Formations of the United States Marine Corps - Task Force Tarawa, Task Force Tripoli, Task Force Leatherneck (Paperback)

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Task Force Tarawa, Task Force Tripoli, Task Force Leatherneck, Multi-National Forces West. Not illustrated. Excerpt: Task Force Tarawa (TFT) was the name given to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. They were a Marine Air-Ground Task Force commanded by Brigadier General Richard Natonski that was attached to the I Marine Expeditionary Force during the course of the invasion and were most notable for their participation in the heavy fighting in the city of an-Niriyyah. During their time supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, the task force suffered 23 Marines killed in action. The 7,100 Marines and Sailors of TFT departed Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on January 15, 2003. They were transported on seven United States Navy ships that together formed Amphibious Task Force East (ATF East); otherwise nicknamed the 'Magnificent Seven'. The ships were the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Ashland (LSD-48), USS Portland (LSD-37), USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), and the USS Ponce (LPD-15). ATF East arrived in Kuwait on February 15, 2003 and quickly debarked their aircraft and ships then headed into the northern Kuwaiti desert. The Task forces equipment consisted of 81 aircraft, 26 Amphibious Assault Vehicles, 24 LAVs, 14 M1A1 Abrams tanks, and 18 M198 howitzers. TFT crossed into Iraq on March 21, 2003 with the missions of securing Jalibah Airfield and then securing the 3 bridges over the Euphrates River at An Nasiriyah to allow the 1st Marine Division to continue its attack north. From March 23 to March 29, 2003, Task Force Tarawa was engaged in heavy fighting in and around the city of An Nasiriyah as they came in contact with Saddam Husseins Fedayeen and members of the Iraqi... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=6310919