Existing comment:
3rd Infantry Division: Spearheading the Drive to Baghdad:
The 3rd Infantry Division constituted the principal formation tasked with the drive to Baghdad. This heavy division constituted a powerful armored strike force. On the eve of battle, it included 247 M1A1 tanks, 264 M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 54 Paladin Howitzers, 18 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), 18 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, 16 OH58D Kiowa helicopters, and 15 UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters. Division organization centered on four brigade combat teams -- one of which contained much of the division's aviation -- plus Task Force Iron, an infantry force built around the 187th Infantry Regiment. Other assets, including maintenance and supply assets, remained under division control to support critical operations by the brigade combat teams. The combined armed nature of the division permitted its training and method of fighting. The 3rd Cavalry Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment constituted the formation's primary reconnaissance unit and generally led the division's advance to Baghdad. |