Op: Phantom Fury - Catterick October 2011 (Themed Game)

15 October, 2011 to 16 October, 2011

Location: Fallujah, Iraq

In the months following on from the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Fallujah has come to be seen as one of the most peaceful areas in Iraq. There is, however, an undercurrent of discontent brewing throughout the city which is causing ever greater concern for Coalition commanders in the region.

Op: Phantom Fury - Catterick October 15th & 16th 2011

more details...History

On April 28 2003 a crowd of around 200 people defied the local curfew and gathered to protest the presence of foreign forces in their city. The protest quickly turned violent as gunmen fired upon US Troops, who returned fire, killing or wounding dozens of people in the crowd of protesters.

In February 2004 control of Fallujah and the surrounding Al-Anbar province was tranferred to the 1st Marine Division. Then at the end of March four private security contractors working for Blackwater were ambushed and killed in the city, their mutilated bodies paraded through the streets and broadcast around the world.

In response to the worsening situation in Fallujah the US Marines launched Operation Vigilant Resolve to take back control of the city from insurgent forces. By the end of April an agreement was reached whereby The Fallujah Brigade, composed of local Iraqis under the command of former Baathist general, Muhammed Latif, was allowed to pass through Coalition lines and take over the city, with the aim of keeping insurgents out.

Unfortunately, Insurgent strength and control of Fallujah has continued to grow during the intervening months, with forces now estimated to number several thousand, mostly foreign fighters, and rumoured to now be under the command of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.

Now a Coalition force including US Army, Marines and Iraqi Soldiers are preparing to retake the city from the insurgents with a new operation, codenamed Phantom Fury...