Rigged to Blow : the Taking of Hadithah Dam by Rangers April 2003

This morning's net catch included this story of a "hood" operation to take the Hadithah Dam by US Army Rangers. The "hood" OP meaning the Rangers "planned on the hood of a vehicle in the desert" the mission to take the Hadithah Dam. Since TET the antique dealers of the MSM see no value in reporting heroic stories like this:

"The Hadithah Dam was, and still is, a vital line of communication from Western Iraq leading into Baghdad," he said. "The importance of this site was that, if destroyed, the waters would flood the Euphrates River basin all the way into Baghdad and either destroy or limit the maneuverability of coalition forces moving up into this critical area."

Lt. Col. John G. Castles, commander, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regt. "It was very dangerous, against a numerically superior enemy, deep into the heart of the country behind enemy lines, with expectations of heavy enemy resistance and the dam itself thought to be rigged to blow.

Originally tasked to be there for 24 hours, the force was required to remain at this critical position for several days. "Despite continued contact with the enemy, the force held firm, continuing to take the fight to and destroy the enemy, resulting in coalition forces continued movement north into Iraq," said Castles.

Maj. David S. Doyle, who commanded the Rangers during the mission, recalled the operation from beginning to end. "We infiltrated into the western desert with one plan, and then the circumstances changed during our movement. We received the Hadithah Dam mission and had less than 12 hours to plan and get moving.

We planned on the hood of a vehicle in the desert and went through our troop leading procedures just like we were at Ranger School," said Doyle. "Of course this time, we received the order from a digital transmission, there were no Ranger instructors looking over our shoulders and the enemy was waiting for us."

They prepared for the mission, issued the orders and as the sun set they knew that there was an amazing operation ahead. "As the battle progressed, Rangers showed why they are specially selected and that they are well trained," said Doyle.

"The pace of the combat was surprising. The days seemed to pass very quickly. We really gauged the passing of time by the consumption of our ammunition. "

The battle damage assessment for the entire battle included 230 enemy killed, and destroyed 29 tanks, nine S-60 anti-aircraft artillery, 14 anti-aircraft artillery pieces, 28 155mm artillery, 22 82mm mortars, six 60mm mortars, eight ammunition caches, 18 buildings, three heavy cargo trucks, two motorcycles, 10 boats and one kayak.

"Rangers overcame the heat, enemy fire and unfamiliar terrain and held their ground without complaint," Doyle said. "Rangers learned that they could survive under constant enemy direct and indirect fire if they used their training and listened to their leaders."

Doyle echoed that the entire Ranger battalion earned this award. "Rangers fighting at the dam displayed valor, Rangers from our staging base pushed critical ammunition and supplies to our location and received our casualties, and our leaders passed on the additional assets that we needed to stay on the target."

Previously, four Rangers received the Silver Star, 11 received the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, five received the Purple Heart, 20 received Army Commendation Medals for Valor, 15 received the Bronze Star Medal and 71 received the Army Commendation Medal for this mission."
ArmyRanger.com :: 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Reg received Valorous Merit Award