Difference between revisions of "Operation Iraqi Freedom"

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[[File:Kearsarge Iraq 2003.jpg|thumb|Amphibious Task Force East]]
[[File:Kearsarge Iraq 2003.jpg|thumb|Amphibious Task Force East]]


==Pre-invasion activities==
===Pre-invasion activities===
At the time of the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, [[Grand Duke Travis]] was the head of state of the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]], the predecessor state to [[Westarctica]], and he was also serving in the United States Navy as an Intelligence Specialist. In this capacity, he deployed to the Persian Gulf onboard the amphibious assault ship USS ''Kearsarge''. The ''Kearsarge'' was one of seven ships that formed Amphibious Task Force (ATF) East, a group nicknamed "The Magnificent Seven."
At the time of the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, [[Grand Duke Travis]] was the head of state of the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]], the predecessor state to [[Westarctica]], and he was also serving in the [[United States Navy]] as an Intelligence Specialist. In this capacity, he deployed to the Persian Gulf onboard the amphibious assault ship USS ''Kearsarge''. The ''Kearsarge'' was one of seven ships that formed Amphibious Task Force (ATF) East, a group nicknamed "The Magnificent Seven."


Prior to the invasion, the Grand Duke participated in operational planning for 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade's invasion of  an-Nasiriyah, a major city in southern Iraq. In addition to providing general order of battle assessments, Travis also created a 3-D animation using classified satellite imagery that allowed the Marine commander to visualize the path his Marine's would take through the streets of Iraq. The resulting Battle of Nasiriyah was one of the costliest battles of the invasion in terms of American lives lost.
Prior to the invasion, the Grand Duke participated in operational planning for 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade's invasion of  an-Nasiriyah, a major city in southern Iraq. In addition to providing general order of battle assessments, Travis also created a 3-D animation using classified satellite imagery that allowed the Marine commander to visualize the path his Marines would take through the streets of Iraq. The resulting Battle of Nasiriyah was one of the costliest battles of the invasion in terms of American lives lost.


As the battle group approached the Iraqi coastal waters, Travis implemented a color-coded system for tracking the readiness of Iraq's coastal defense cruise missiles and artillery that he called "Coastal Defense Condition" (CDCON for short).
As the battle group approached the Iraqi coastal waters, Travis implemented a color-coded system for tracking the readiness of Iraq's coastal defense cruise missiles and artillery that he called "Coastal Defense Condition" (CDCON for short).


==Activities during ground combat==
===Activities during ground combat===
[[File:Flight Deck.jpg|thumb|Travis reporting on a merchant vessel during Operation Iraqi Freedom]]
[[File:Flight Deck.jpg|thumb|Travis reporting on a merchant vessel during Operation Iraqi Freedom]]
The Grand Duke did not deploy the the ground in Iraq during combat operations. After the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade was offloaded in Kuwait, Travis was assigned to lead the Combined Task Force 151.5 Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection cell. During this time, his cell was responsible for tracking and reporting on suspected terrorist surveillance and preventing terrorist attacks against the seven ships in his battle group. In the four months the cell was active, there were no terrorist attacks against U.S. assets in the Persian Gulf.
The Grand Duke did not deploy to the ground in Iraq during combat operations. After the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade was offloaded in Kuwait, Travis was assigned to lead the Combined Task Force 151.5 Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection cell. During this time, his cell was responsible for tracking and reporting on suspected terrorist surveillance and preventing terrorist attacks against the seven ships in his battle group. In the four months the cell was active, there were no terrorist attacks against U.S. assets in the Persian Gulf.


In recognition of his actions during and after the conflict, Travis received the following awards:
In recognition of his actions during and after the conflict, Travis received the following awards:
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* Letter of commendation from Rear Admiral Michael Nowakowski
* Letter of commendation from Rear Admiral Michael Nowakowski


==Post-invasion activities==
===Post-invasion activities===
Following the successful invasion of Iraq, the USS ''Kearsarge'' was deployed in support of Operation Shining Express to support the rescue of U.S. embassy personnel and American citizens during the Second Liberian Civil War. Travis created threat assessments on the warring factions in Liberia and briefed the commanding officer of Task Force Tarawa, Brigadier General Richard Natonski, on the feasibility of performing an evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.
Following the successful invasion of Iraq, the USS ''Kearsarge'' was deployed in support of Operation Shining Express to support the rescue of U.S. embassy personnel and American citizens during the Second Liberian Civil War. Travis created threat assessments on the warring factions in Liberia and briefed the commanding officer of Task Force Tarawa, Brigadier General Richard Natonski, on the feasibility of performing an evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.


[[Category:Conflicts Involving Westarctica]]
[[Category:Conflicts Involving Westarctica]]

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