USA TODAY April 04, 2003
The chain of command for U.S. ground forces in Iraq
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As the head of coalition forces, Army Gen. Tommy Franks directs the Iraq war plan. The commanders who carry out his orders and the key units involved in the ground war:
Gen. Tommy Franks, Commander, U.S. Central Command
Lt. Gen. David McKiernan: Coalition Forces Land Component (Army)
Brig. Gen. Gary Harrell: Coalition Forces Special Operations Component (Special operations) Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, Rangers, Army Aviation, Air Force Special Ops
Lt. Gen. William S. Wallace: Army V Corps
Lt. Gen. James Conway: Commander, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
3rd Infrantry Division (Army): Known as "Rock of the Marne," the primary ground force of more than 20,000 troops out of Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Air Field and Fort Benning, Ga. Troops from the 3rd launched an assault Thursday on Saddam International Airport about 9 miles southwest of central Baghdad. Commanded by Maj. Gen. Buford Blount III.
101st Airborne Division (Army): A force of more than 20,000, known as the "Screaming Eagles," based at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. The military's premier airborne division. Troops from the 101st took control of the holy city of Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad. Commanded by Maj. Gen. David Petraeus.
173rd Airborne Brigade (Army): A force of more than 1,200, nicknamed "Sky Soldiers," based at Caserma Ederle, Italy. Deployed to northern Iraq. The 173rd serves as the U.S. European Command's only conventional airborne rapid-reaction force. Operating on the northern front with Kurdish fighters, troops have encountered little resistance. Commanded by Col. William Mayville Jr.
82nd Airborne Division (Army): A force of 5,000 based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Deployed to Kuwait to provide support and help protect supply lines. The 82nd Airborne's traditional role is rapid insertion of soldiers by parachute or helicopter. Its troops fought at Najaf and Karbala, towns instrumental in the push toward Baghdad. Commanded by Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack Jr.
1st Marine Expeditionary Force: The 45,000-member expeditionary force, based at Camp Pendleton in California. Forces from the 1st Marine bested a key Iraqi Republican Guard division in Al Kut, 80 miles southeast of Baghdad, before moving toward the capital.
2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade: A force of 7,000 Marines, based at Campt Lejeune in North Carolina, is bolstering the Marine force. Commanded by Maj. Gen. John Goodman.
GRAPHIC: GRAPHIC, B/W, Quin Tian and Julie Snider, USA TODAY; reporting by William Risser and Joan Murphy, USA TODAY, Sources: USA TODAY research, Marine Corps Times, GlobalSecurity.org (CHART); PHOTOS, B/W (5)
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