The Battle of An Najaf: 25-28 March 2003
The city of Najaf sits astride important highways leading north to Karbala and Baghdad. Rather than simply bypassing the town as had been done with Nasiriyah and Samawah, the 3rd ID decided to isolate the town to prevent it from being used to stage attacks on American supply lines. The plan was to seize the major bridges in Al Kifl, a town north of Najaf, and Abu Sukhayr, a town south of Najaf. The northern bridge at Al Kifl was codenamed Objective Jenkins and the southern bridge in Abu Sukhayr was codenamed Objective Floyd.
On 25 March, AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters of the 11th Aviation Regiment were tasked with carrying out a long-range penetration mission against armored forces belonging to the An Najaf Division of the Iraqi Republican Guard that was stationed in Najaf. Instead of providing close air support near the front lines, helicopters would be used in a similar way to attack aircraft.
Mission:
Take objetive FLOYD and sup
Apache Attack on March 25
At 6:00 am on March 25, the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment attacked the Floyd objective.
After crossing the bridge, the 7th Cavalry sent troops A and B north to secure a dam and bridge and establish blockade positions to further isolate Najaf.
He assigned the mission to Captain Charles Branson and his Alpha Battery 1-3 ADA, the brigade's air defense battery equipped with the LINEBACKER missile system. Grimsley augmented the battery with a combat observation laser team (WARRIOR) and a brigade reconnaissance troop section.
B/3-7 CAV, Troop "Bone", led 3-7 CAV to the bridge at Objective FLOYD at 0600 on 25 March.
