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Crystal anniversary of the Iraq War

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15 years ago. We finally moved from the position that we had been occupying for the past couple days. We were glad to be moving. A couple hours later we pulled into another position and offloaded from the vehicles. We figured we would only be here a couple hours before being ordered to go on the road again, but word came down to put up the camouflage netting. Something we hadn't done since the invasion started. We were told that recon had secured a airfield and we would provide fire support for them as well as 1/4. But it also turns out that we were waiting for the logistics train to get caught up to us. So it began, the dreaded operational pause in Iraq, to which we wondered if we would ever reach Baghdad. — remembering Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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15 years ago. One day into the pause, and we were just wondering what was going on. One of the rumors were was that the top brass were waiting for reinforcements, but being Marines, we felt we didnt need reinforcements. One of the other rumors was we were stopping as not to give Saddam a reason to use the chemical weapons near Baghdad but again these were rumors. Yet you could tell boredom was starting to set in. To pass the onset of the boredom, we kept up the task of being Marines in a war zone, which included maintenance, inventories, and personal care, but everyone pretty much in silent agreement. When were we going to move again.
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15 years ago: March 30, 2003 Spending two days in the same position had become a weird occurrence for us since the war began. Yet there hadn't been any signs that we would be moving anytime soon. In fact the same rumors that had swirled on the first day continued to abound. So to pass the time, we improved the battery's position, as well as got patrols together to search the area for any threats. Yet little did we know the Division and the war effort would be getting back into high gear very soon.
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15 years ago: March 31st, 2003: Day 3 in the same position that we had arrived in. We had improved the position and conducted a inventory of everything we had in stock within the vehicles. We had cleaned up a little bit, and even conducted patrols of the area, but we wanted to get moving. We wanted to get to Baghdad and have all of us go home. That was our objective. So when they called my patrol up to the FDC we didnt worry about it. We were given the brief on what our mission would be and sent back to our vehicles to wait for the order to head out on the patrol. Then the word came down that all patrols were suspended for the rest of the day. We wondered what was happening. Little did we know, the war effort would kick back into high gear the next day as we would leave our little position and start again towards Baghdad.
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Thank you for writing that USMC.  I really enjoy hearing military history, especially from those who were there.

FAU - We got Bowls!
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I haven't commented on the tale because I don't feel worthy of comment. I never served but am so very thankful that the U.S. is full of men and women, current and past, that were willing to do what they do. Compared to these guys and gals, I'm a pu__y. Thanks USMCOWL.
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15 years ago: April 2nd, 2003. After spending the better part of two days on the road occasionally supporting 1/4 while on their movement up the high way, we pulled into a position. We didn't know what the plan was, but we were informed we were going to be supporting 1/4 as they would probably be engaging the enemy the next day. So we sat in the position and doubled checked everything as we prepared to deal death upon the Iraqi's once again.
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15 years ago: April 3, 2003 The day dawned with the battery standing too. As the hours moved on, we wondered what would the day bring. Then shortly later on that morning the call came down, and our battery along with our battalion began to conduct fire missions in support of RCT-1's operations against enemy forces in the city of Al-Kut. Thus began a day of fire support missions and operations against the enemy.
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15 years ago: Late in the day of the 3rd early 4th, we displaced from our position where we were supporting 1/4 and began a long road march. Destination at the time was unknown, but we knew we were going towards Baghdad. We took turns standing watch and sleeping in the back of the humvee, while also helping our Driver and A-Driver stay awake. When noon approached we found ourselves regrouped with not only the regiment but the entire division. (Please see Michael Marletto's posts not only on regular Facebook, but also in the Cannon Cockers of OIF-1 (15 year reunion) page.) We quickly rolled into a position and established supporting fires by late that afternoon going on into the evening .If you never heard what artillery sounds like shooting on mass, it is the most earth shattering, soul shaking, patriotic thing you will ever experience.

The Cannon Cockers Of OIF-1 (15-Year Reunion 2018 Group) Public Group | Facebook

The Cannon Cockers Of OIF-1 (15-Year Reunion 2018 Group) Public Group | Facebook
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15 years ago: After rejoining the regiment and conducting the first regimental fire mission in combat since the Korean War, we moved to a new position to support 1/4, along with the Division's efforts as they began the preparations to enter Baghdad. Our position turned out to be a field next to the home of Iraqi factory owner, who in light of the people streaming out of the capital, wanted us to provide security for his factory. For obvious reasons we couldn't. We were now on the door stop of the Iraqi Capital to provide support as the infantry kicked the door in.
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