1. Battle of Fallujah: Operation Vigilant Resolve
Matthew Tralka
Battle of Fallujah: Operation Vigilant Resolve

2. Combatants United States Islamic Army of Iraq Poland Al Qaeda of Iraq
Academi (formerly Blackwater) PMC
Islamic Army of Iraq
Al Qaeda of Iraq
Mujahedeen
Baathists

3. Rising Tensions Fun Fact!
General John Albizaid, director of US forces, Middle East, was attacked on the 12th of February from RPG wielding insurgents. From within the Iraqi base!
Rising Tensions
Insurgents
Friendly Forces
Recorded Incidents
Random US airstrikes cause anger
700 soldiers of the 82nd Airborne are deployed
Opposition against US troops begins
April 23, February 31, 2004
Protesters gather at a school 17 killed 70 wounded
Protesters protesting the earlier shooting 3 Killed
101st under RPG attack 6 injured 1 KIA, pfc Oberleitner
Local mosque explodes, blame passed around 9 Killed
Insurgents release 87 prisoners 17 offices KIA
3rd Armored Calvalry and 101st Airborne replace the 82nd. They leave without suffer casualties
US troops request the assistance of 1500 more 3rd Armored Calvary

4. The arrival of the | Marine Expeditionary Force
The Marine Expeditionary Force arrived and took control of Fallujah in March of 2004
Casualties
Loss of control
The arrival of the | Marine Expeditionary Force
All US forces were quickly extracted

5. Academi/Blackwater
4 US private military contractors employed by Blackwater USA were ambushed during a routine food delivery for the Eurest Support Services (ESS, a catering company used during large scale tactical operations in unforgiving environments where normal companies couldn’t be used)

6. Media demands “pacification” of Fallujah
Media Influence
The media picked up the Blackwater massacre and aired several nights of protest calling for the “pacification” of Fallujah.
Media demands “pacification” of Fallujah
US Military suspends humanitarian goals and promises to pacify Fallujah
| Marine Expeditionary Force receives go orders to begin operations within the city
March 31, 2004
April 1, 2004
April 3, 2004

7. Tactics
US forces led the engagement by closing down all poe into Fallujah
Aerial strikes brought down strategic enemy location
Scout sniper teams were a major part of the battle, providing overwatch on every major part of the town. They averaged 31 confirms each
Insurgents operated in 12 main groups
Supplied by the Iraqi Police
Retreated throughout the city to multiple hard points
Fun Fact!
US PSYOP teams worked with scout snipers, blaring AC/DC and playing offensive and racist terms over loudspeakers. When the insurgents ran out to confront the source of the sound the scout snipers shot them!

8. Progression
After 3 days of fighting the Marines gained approx. 25% of the city
6 days after the fighting broke out a ceasefire was put in place to facilitate negotiations between the Iraqi council and the insurgents
During the ceasefire a party of civilians organized by a fact of the Shi’a-Sunni provided humanitarian aid to the remaining civilians

9. April 27, 2004 US is forced to order tactical bombing of 12 insurgent positions in order to provide support to marines on the ground
April 19, 2004 a plan was brought into place to allow US/Iraqi patrols
May 1, 2004 US turns over control of Fallujah to the newly made Fallujah Brigade
Fallujah Brigade falls and by November US troops are back to fighting in Fallujah
Conclusion

10. Casualties US Insurgent 27/2,200 220/3600 Civilian 600 Fun Fact!
All of the Iraqis are buried under the cities football stadium, known as Maryrs’ Cemetery.
All 820 of them!

11. Sources http://icasualties.org/Iraq/ByProvince.aspx