Oif Operation
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 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM EAGLE FLAG MILITARY PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 37m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 UNKNOWN Military Patch Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF When I Die Ill Go to Heaven $3.26 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 31m |
 1st BDE 1st Calvary Division IRONHOURSE Operation Iraqi Freedom 06 08 OIF Book $24.95 Time Remaining: 6d 11h 4m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM WAR VICTORY MAP EAGLE FLAG OIF EMBROIDERED PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 24d 8h 10m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
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 Death to the Taliban Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF OEF Desert Color Military Patch $2.99 Time Remaining: 23d 14h 32m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
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 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDON OIF GOLD TONE LAPEL PIN $10.99 Time Remaining: 14h 21m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
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 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN MILITARY CAR DECAL $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 32m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 US NAVY OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PATCH IRAQ NAVY USS OIF $7.99 Time Remaining: 19d 14h 54m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 OIF IRAQ CAMPAIGN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PATCH $6.50 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 15m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 |
 US OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom pocket patch $5.00 Time Remaining: 27d 16h 3m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 USN US Navy Military Patch United States Navy Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Red $3.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 35m |
 US NAVY OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PATCH IRAQ NAVY USS OIF WOW $9.98 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $9.98 |
 US NAVY VETERAN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM MILITARY BALL CAP OIF HAT $14.49 Time Remaining: 7d 20h 55m Buy It Now for only: $14.49 |
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 ARMY OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 6h 5m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 UNKNOWN Military Patch Yankee Air Pirate Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Skull Wings $3.00 Time Remaining: 1h 31m |
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 OIF 4th MARINE DIVISION OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PATCH $6.50 Time Remaining: 21d 10h 18m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 |
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 OIF 1st MARINE DIVISION OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PATCH $6.50 Time Remaining: 21d 20h 10m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 |
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 Operation Iraqi Freedom Shirt OIF Size XL Never Worn Caution Shirt Nice $14.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 10h 23m |
 AIR FORCE OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM CHALLENGE COIN $14.99 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 6m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 ARMY OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM COLOR CHALLENGE COIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 22d 3h 37m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 OPERATION NEW DAWN IRAQI FREEDOM OIF CHALLENGE COIN $13.29 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 14m Buy It Now for only: $13.29 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT EMBROIDERED OIF FOB KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 10m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM RIBBON CHALLENGE COIN $14.99 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 6m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
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 Operation Iraqi Freedom Shirt OIF Size XL New Collectible Nice Designs $14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 39m |
 ARMY 1ST CAV OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM CHALLENGE COIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 22d 9h 48m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 US Army Coffee Mug Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Apache Helicopter Chopper $12.99 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 37m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
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 Patch Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF IRAQ USA Army USMC $6.95 Time Remaining: 16d 20h 6m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 GULF WAR OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF IRAQ WAR IRAQI MILITARY ARMY BACKPACK $40.00 Time Remaining: 2d 16h Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 379TH AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF CHALLENGE COIN FORCE $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 58m |
 MARINE CORPS OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 24m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 DRAGONS ANCHOR OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF 3 PATCH G18 $3.99 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
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 OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq Navy Biker Pin Gift $9.74 Time Remaining: 18d 20h 16m Buy It Now for only: $9.74 |
 19th Support Center Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Iraq 2003 Challenge Coin $18.00 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 30m Buy It Now for only: $18.00 |
 256th Brigade Combat Team LA NG Operation Iraqi Freedom III OIF Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 21d 15h 50m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM OIF US FLAG IRAQ FLAG PIN US NAVY ARMY AIR FROCE MARINES $10.87 Time Remaining: 11d 4h 2m Buy It Now for only: $10.87 |
 Challenge Coin OIF Operation Salute By Anheuser Bush 217356 Nice Design $14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 5m |
 AIR FORCE OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 33m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN WAR YELLOW DECAL $12.34 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 31m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 62nd Engineer Battalion 4th ID OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom 05 07 Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 15m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 USN NAVY OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 3h 16m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM WAR BAGHDAD DESERT PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 32m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 OPERATION NEW DAWN IRAQI FREEDOM OIF CHALLENGE COIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF II 2003 2004 MIUW 106 SHARK RARE CHALLENGE COIN $5.95 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 51m |
 HHC 54th Engineer Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom 05 07 OIF Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 12d 9h 2m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 Operation Iraqi Freedom US Marine OIF Iraq Biker Pin $9.74 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 33m Buy It Now for only: $9.74 |
 US NAVY Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq War OIF Hat Pin $2.49 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 34m Buy It Now for only: $2.49 |
 In Memory Of Who Died For Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF 5 inch PATCH 514 $10.95 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 21m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF MARINE CORPS EMBROIDERED MILITARY PATCH $13.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 16m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 1169th Engineer Group Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006 2008 OIF Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 12d 10h 58m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 Polish Army Military Police MP in Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF 2004 desert patch $8.99 Time Remaining: 9h 51m |
 Operation Iraqi Freedom Yellow Ribbon OIF Hat or Lapel Pin 14271 $5.49 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $5.49 |
 OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM MILITARY WAR BAGHDAD PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 3h 17m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Scimitar Sword Saber Hat or Lapel Pin14272 $5.49 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.49 |
 USN NAVY OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM PATCH $12.34 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 23m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 |
 US ARMY OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VET OIF CHALLENGE COIN $13.29 Time Remaining: 12d 10h 31m Buy It Now for only: $13.29 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF ARMY EMBROIDERED MILITARY PATCH $13.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
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 USAF Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq War OIF Pin Air Force $2.49 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 11m Buy It Now for only: $2.49 |
 TALIBAN TERMINATOR OPERATION OIF JSOC JTF ODA 5TH SF GROUP TEAM INFIDEL PATCH $24.99 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 51m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 ARMY OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF EMBROIDERED KEY CHAIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 48m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 Patch Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF IRAQ USA ARMY USMC $6.95 Time Remaining: 7d 6h 16m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 541st Corps Support Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 OIF Challenge Coin $16.00 Time Remaining: 26d 7h 12m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 MILITARY OPERATION NEW DAWN KUWAIT FREEDOM OIF CHALLENGE COIN New $13.29 Time Remaining: 16d 6h 44m Buy It Now for only: $13.29 |
 USMC 3rd Force Reconnaissance Patch OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 30m |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF COAST GUARD EMBROIDERED MILITARY PATCH $13.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF EMBROIDERED MILTARY USA FLAG PATCH $13.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 28m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 186th Engineer Detachment Utility Operation Enduring Freedom OIF Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 12d 9h 7m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 407th Quartermaster Detachment Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Challenge Coin $16.00 Time Remaining: 12d 17h 52m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 372nd Quartermaster Battalion PS Operation Enduring Freedom OIF Challenge Coin $16.00 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 51m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 726th Ordnance Maintenace Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Challenge Coin $16.00 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 14m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Challenge Coin USAF 332 AEW Mortaritaville Balad $20.00 Time Remaining: 6d 7h 38m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 1st Cavalry Division Operation CLEAR SKIES OIF patch $6.00 Time Remaining: 8d 12h 58m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 |
 HHD 54th Signal Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Challenge Coin $16.00 Time Remaining: 19d 13h 9m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF AIR FORCE EMBROIDERED MILITARY PATCH $13.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 USMC Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq War EGA OIF Hat Pin $2.49 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 16m Buy It Now for only: $2.49 |
 46th Engineer Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005 07 OIF Iraq Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 12d 16h 48m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 32nd Signal Battalion Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005 07 OIF Challenge Coin $17.00 Time Remaining: 19d 5h 57m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 9 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN JACKET PATCH+OIF PATCHMARINESARMYAIR FORCE $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 34m |
 Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF Iraq FOB WARHORSE coin $9.95 Time Remaining: 23d 17h 19m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN OIF JACKET PATCH $33.24 Time Remaining: 5d 8h 18m Buy It Now for only: $33.24 |
 NAVY OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN RIBBON PIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 9m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 AIR FORCE OIF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN PIN $14.24 Time Remaining: 2d 16h 54m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
 OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OIF NAVY EMBROIDERED MILITARY PATCH $13.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 17m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 USMC OIF Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran Cuff Links $19.99 Time Remaining: 23d 10h 17m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
Oif Operation
Learning the Lessons of War
An IED blast rips apart a Humvee, and those inside it, near Baghdad. A tribal elder approaches a military officer in the war-torn city of Ramadi. A Marine places the stock of his M-16A4 against his shoulder and fires at a target on a shooting range in the Al Anbar Province, teaching the Iraqi soldier standing next to him by example.
Cause and effect. Problem evolves into solution. But in the case of Operation Iraqi Freedom how are the lessons of war extracted from the bullets and bombs of the battlefield? You would need experts who view the combat zone as a classroom.
Enter the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned.
“My job is to make sure that gets recorded for posterity at Headquarters Marine Corps [in Quantico, Virginia],” explains one of those experts, Col. Michael Crites, from his office aboard Al Asad Air Base in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province. He describes his job as “a mixture of consultant and reporter.”
Crites is the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned (MCCLL) Liaison to Multi-National Force – West (MNF-W), the force that covers western Iraq which includes all of Al Anbar Province and the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, to name two. That’s a massive area. Iraq is about the size of California and Anbar is the size of North Carolina. “The command (MNF-W) is the source,” Crites says. “They’re going to guide me into what lessons they want recorded, what lessons they’ve learned, according to their operations.”
As if writing an encyclopedia of war, the Marine Corps records and learns from every operation. “In our history, we’ve built host nation armies, like in Central America in the 20’s. We’ve participated in the occupation of Japan, a security kind of mission,” Crites says. Those lessons include, “Key leader engagements. Building that host military capability. Civil action projects borrowing from what we learned in Vietnam with the civil action platoon and successfully being able to retrograde and leave [Iraq] in the hands of its own security forces reasonably peaceful.”
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) has resulted in reams of recommendations and life-saving changes. Crites highlights a specific example from Iraq that’s also made its way to Afghanistan. “Improvised Explosive Devices became the weapon of choice of the enemy. We’ve gone through, learned all kinds of lessons and, in fact, transformed our vehicle force since we began in Iraq. The MRAP, [Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle] is created to withstand an explosive device. So that’s something that is continuing to evolve and be used in Afghanistan.”
By accessing MCCLL’s secure web site, Marines make a record of combat-related events by filling out an After Action Report. The information is collected and analyzed. The lessons learned from that particular battle or event are extracted and published once a week. “This is the first war where we had a fully functioning system of knowledge management, where information can be gathered, accumulated, studied, and analyzed,” Crites says, emphasizing how the lessons are also passed on to the next fighting force. “A Marine that comes to war studies Lessons Learned, studies what his predecessor did before him, and that’s how he gets ready for deployment.”
The battlefield is a fluid classroom. Imagine a teacher who keeps changing the lesson plan. The enemy is also constantly changing. “Just as we improve our tactics, force protection measures, the enemy tries to think of a way to defeat us,” Crites says. “So it’s a constant learning process.”
His replacement will collect information on the drawdown of forces and equipment in Iraq, lessons certain to be applied one day to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan.
“Marines are famous, I think, in strength and physical courage and intellectual ability,” Crites says. “But now I think we’re showing more intellectual prowess overall because of the effort of Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned.”
About the Author
Randy Garsee is working throughout 2009 and into early 2010 as a civilian journalist for the U.S. Marine Corps aboard Al Asad Air Base in Iraq's Al Anbar Province. Randy is blogging about his experience at http://randygarsee.blogspot.com
How many casualties would you accept before you retreat?
Compare ww2 (1941-1945) to Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-present). Have Americans lost the stomach for war? What happened to the "Greatest Generation?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties
http://icasualties.org/oif/
What was an acceptable loss in 1940 is not acceptable today, with advances in technology and better understanding of the nature of war, the numbers should be about as low as they are.
Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 as much as the Nazis had to do with the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Flood in Baghdad