Iraq War

March 09, 2011

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The Iraq War began on March 20, 2003 with the US/UK lead invasion against Saddam Hussein's terror based regime. Since then, the Delaware National Guard (DNG) has vigilantly supported Operation: Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Soldiers and Airmen from all across the state answered their country's call once again.

Delaware army and air units/individuals have supported OIF since 2003. The first of these units to arrive in Baghdad was the 249th Engineer Detachment. The 249th was federally mobilized from February 2003- April 2004. The detachment supported reconstruction efforts throughout the capital city, Baghdad, Iraq.

They worked on plumbing, carpentry, and electrical, including construction projects on the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), local Iraqi police stations, and even restoring electricity to the famous Baghdad Zoo. The 249th Engineers completed their mission without casualties, in-spite of small-arms fire (SAF), rocket, and mortar attacks.

OIF Deployed units