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All Roads Lead to Baghdad: Army Special Operations Forces in Iraq
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By Charles H. Briscoe, et al. Tells the story of Iraqi Freedom, the second Army Special Operations (ASO) campaign in America's Global War on Terrorism. Shows how the ASO supported a US-led conventional air and ground offensive to collapse the regime of Saddam Hussein and capture Baghdad. Includes bibliographical references. This is the official history as recorded by U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) historians, Charles H. Briscoe, Kenneth Finlayson, and Robert W. Jones Jr., Cherilyn A. Walley, A. Dwayne Aaron, Michael R. Mullins, and James A. Schroder. An amazing book in over-sized (6 X 9 inch) paperback format with 517 glossy pages. In addition to the text there are 356 photographs, maps, and illustrations all in full color. A number of the illustrations are of SSI, ODA Patches, and DUI of the SOF entities involved. There are also extensive chapter source notes, a glossary of terminology, and a complete index. "An absolutely essential reference work for anyone interested in the special operations history of Operation Iraqi Freedom." "
By Charles H. Briscoe, et al. Tells the story of Iraqi Freedom, the second Army Special Operations (ASO) campaign in America's Global War on Terrorism. Shows how the ASO supported a US-led conventional air and ground offensive to collapse the regime of Saddam Hussein and capture Baghdad. Includes bibliographical references. This is the official history as recorded by U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) historians, Charles H. Briscoe, Kenneth Finlayson, and Robert W. Jones Jr., Cherilyn A. Walley, A. Dwayne Aaron, Michael R. Mullins, and James A. Schroder. An amazing book in over-sized (6 X 9 inch) paperback format with 517 glossy pages. In addition to the text there are 356 photographs, maps, and illustrations all in full color. A number of the illustrations are of SSI, ODA Patches, and DUI of the SOF entities involved. There are also extensive chapter source notes, a glossary of terminology, and a complete index. "An absolutely essential reference work for anyone interested in the special operations history of Operation Iraqi Freedom." "
517 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2006
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January 12, 2013
This is a stunning, comprehensive, and readable account of the war in Iraq in 2003.
Having enjoyed the previous title in this series, Weapon of Choice: U.S. Army Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, I was looking forward to reading this and was not disappointed.
To the book's credit, it is loaded with details without becoming overwhelmed by military jargon. It takes a long view: providing focus to both operational planning/management while being full of first-hand detailed accounts of grunts on the ground.
It is also much better produced than the previous title, featuring clearer pictures, color pictures, and coherent maps.
The first chapter, one of the book’s most valuable sections, explains the importance of Iraq to the Middle East and the United States. Many Americans still have false perceptions of the state of Iraq before coalition forces invaded in 2003. It describes Saddam and his regime as “not a toothless lion” (p. 6), explaining that he could call on 400,000 regular forces and twice that number of reservists. The author also discusses Saddam’s fedayeen and the capabilities of these fanatically dedicated brigades. This discussion includes diagrams of the Iraqi order of battle prior to Iraqi Freedom. I was surprised to see that, at that time, Iraq boasted 325 combat aircraft. Only 20 of them remain operational today.
Another section of the book that I found fascinating addresses the employment of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-North and the trouble experienced by coalition special forces because of Turkey’s refusal to allow their deployment during Iraqi Freedom. This impasse led to the creation of Operation Ugly Baby, a flight path so ugly “only a mother could love it” (p. 117). The war would have proceeded much more quickly with Turkey’s support.
Written chronologically, the study covers details down to the hour when the planning stage began and provides a “five-month snapshot” of Iraqi Freedom (p. 451). Some portions seem repetitive, however, and several times the authors’ clear recounting of operations makes the summaries unnecessary.
But I'm little disappointed to see that this history book mention the capture of Saddam Hussein on December 2004, considering the operation Red Dawn was launched one year before, in 2003...We can read it on page 15 : "Saddam was ultimately captured by U.S. forces on 13 december 2004 and imprisoned"...I first though it was a single mistake, but it isn't because the same mistake is repeated on page 17 and also in the timeline shown in the lower part of EACH page...
Other than that, this a must-read for anyone interested in special operations or the war in Iraq.
Having enjoyed the previous title in this series, Weapon of Choice: U.S. Army Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, I was looking forward to reading this and was not disappointed.
To the book's credit, it is loaded with details without becoming overwhelmed by military jargon. It takes a long view: providing focus to both operational planning/management while being full of first-hand detailed accounts of grunts on the ground.
It is also much better produced than the previous title, featuring clearer pictures, color pictures, and coherent maps.
The first chapter, one of the book’s most valuable sections, explains the importance of Iraq to the Middle East and the United States. Many Americans still have false perceptions of the state of Iraq before coalition forces invaded in 2003. It describes Saddam and his regime as “not a toothless lion” (p. 6), explaining that he could call on 400,000 regular forces and twice that number of reservists. The author also discusses Saddam’s fedayeen and the capabilities of these fanatically dedicated brigades. This discussion includes diagrams of the Iraqi order of battle prior to Iraqi Freedom. I was surprised to see that, at that time, Iraq boasted 325 combat aircraft. Only 20 of them remain operational today.
Another section of the book that I found fascinating addresses the employment of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-North and the trouble experienced by coalition special forces because of Turkey’s refusal to allow their deployment during Iraqi Freedom. This impasse led to the creation of Operation Ugly Baby, a flight path so ugly “only a mother could love it” (p. 117). The war would have proceeded much more quickly with Turkey’s support.
Written chronologically, the study covers details down to the hour when the planning stage began and provides a “five-month snapshot” of Iraqi Freedom (p. 451). Some portions seem repetitive, however, and several times the authors’ clear recounting of operations makes the summaries unnecessary.
But I'm little disappointed to see that this history book mention the capture of Saddam Hussein on December 2004, considering the operation Red Dawn was launched one year before, in 2003...We can read it on page 15 : "Saddam was ultimately captured by U.S. forces on 13 december 2004 and imprisoned"...I first though it was a single mistake, but it isn't because the same mistake is repeated on page 17 and also in the timeline shown in the lower part of EACH page...
Other than that, this a must-read for anyone interested in special operations or the war in Iraq.
Displaying 1 of 1 review