On Point: the United States Army in Operation Iraqi ... - Boekje Pienter

towns during the five simultaneous attacks really won the LOC fight, but it was when the 2ndCavalry secured the lateral routes between the towns on 11 April that the LOCs could be said tobe reasonably safe. That is arguably the right point at which to declare the “LOC fight” over.Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Support to the FightAs 3rd ID moved north, the PSYOP campaign changed its focus from protecting the oilfields and promoting an early Iraqi capitulation to helping manage the civilian population inthe cities and towns coming under coalition control. From themes to reduce collateral damageand civilian casualties to efforts to undermine the paramilitary forces operating in and amongthe civilians, the PSYOP served as a nonlethal fire to help shape the battlefield for the soldiersand marines. Army tactical PSYOP teams (TPTs) supported both the V Corps and I MEF forcesstrung out over the vast expanse of the two areas of operations. The TPTs were generally in directsupport, providing PSYOP support to the commanders in contact with the Iraqi population.For example, on 23 March, TPT 1141, led by Sergeant Daniel Voss of the 305th PSYOPCompany, supported TF Tarawa assigned to I MEF. At first Voss found it difficult to get themarines to use him—a phenomenon not unheard of from TPTs assigned to support Army units.On 25 March at An Nasiriyah, Voss and TPT 1141 got their chance. TF Tarawa was in a pitchedbattle with paramilitary forces sniping from both sides of the road leading into the town andfrom within the town as well. Two days earlier part of the 507th Maintenance Company hadstirred up a hornets’ nest at An Nasiriyah. Stiff resistance in An Nasiriyah threatened to bogdown the marines’ advance. 184That day, Sergeant Voss convinced his marine commander that TPT 1141 might be ableto help deal with approximately 20 paramilitary troops hiding in the military hospital on theeastern bank of the river. From the hospital the Iraqis fired mortars and machine guns at Marinescrossing the bridge over the Euphrates. According to Voss, “We set up the two vehicles and Igave a surrender appeal and a statement about the inevitability of their defeat. We told [themthat] we would drop bombs and artillery on the hospital if they did not surrender. About 10minutes into the broadcast, personnel started emerging, doing exactly what we told them todo.” 185 Voss and his team also supported Tarawa by assisting them in controlling safe passage ofcivilians and gleaning information of value in the course of passing information from civiliansto the combat troops during house-to-house clearing operations. The loudspeaker team enabledthe marines to communicate with the population, which enhanced the safety of the marines andcivilians. 186Figure 121. Tactical PSYOP team accompanies mechanized infantry on move northCourtesy of 9th PSYOP Battalion221