4ID / TF IRONHORSE In Iraq
Deployment Information
Soldiers: 20,000
Home fort: Fort Hood, Texas
Deployed to: Initially ordered to deploy in January 2003, the division did not arrive in Kuwait until late March. The delay was caused by the inability of the United States and Turkey to reach an agreement over using Turkish military bases to gain access to northern Iraq, where the division was originally planned to be located. Units from the division began crossing into Iraq on April 12, 2003, and were sent to Baghdad to take over security duties from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.
Units: Since its first deployment to Iraq, the division has been expanded to include a fourth brigade, transforming into what the Army calls a "modular division." Each brigade is now a self-sustaining brigade combat team that can operate outside of the full division. It is organized with seven brigade-sized elements: 4 brigades, a multifunctional Aviation brigade, Fires Brigade and Support brigade.
Duties: The division relieved the 3rd Infantry Division on January 8, 2006, and assumed responsibility for military operations in the Baghdad area. The division will focus on training the Iraqi Army and building Iraqi force capability to assume responsibility for their own security.
The 4th was initially ordered to deploy in January 2003 before the war began, but did not arrive in Kuwait until late March. The delay was caused by the inability of the United States and Turkey to reach an agreement over using Turkish military bases to gain access to northern Iraq, where the division was originally planned to be located. Units from the division began crossing into Iraq on April 12, 2003.
The division was first sent to Baghdad to take over security duties from 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. It later took over command of the area north of Baghdad, including the cities of Kirkuk and Tikrit. On December 13, 2003, approximately 600 soldiers of the division's 1st Brigade participated in Operation Red Dawn, which led to the capture of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein near Tikrit. (Full story) The 1st Infantry Division and an attached Army National Guard infantry brigade relieved the division in April 2004.
The 4th Division is a mechanized division armed with M1A2 Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, 155 mm howitzers, anti-tank and anti-armor AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopters. The division's 3rd Brigade is based at Fort Carson, Colorado, with the rest of the division in Fort Hood, Texas.
The 13th Corps Support Command provides logistical aid to III Corps units.
Sites of Interest
4thInfantry.org news page
4th Infantry Iraqi Casualties
Photos from military.com via Google
Newstrove.com's 4th Infantry Iraq
CNN's Iraq News
MSNBC Iraq News
ABC News Iraq
Washington Post Iraq News
NPR Iraq News
CBS Iraq News
Official Website of Multi-National Force - Iraq
MSNBC Slide Show - some pictures of 4th Infantry troops (pictures 7 & 11)