Iraq War order of battle, 2009

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In 2009, the Iraq War was led by the United States under USCENTCOM through the Multi-National Force–Iraq (MNF-I). The overall commander in Iraq from September 2008 to December 2009 was General Raymond T. Odierno, who reported to USCENTCOM. MNF-I consisted of three main components: Multinational Corps–Iraq, Multinational Security Transition Command–Iraq (MNSTC-I), and the Joint Contracting Command, Iraq/Afghanistan (JCCIA). On January 1, 2010, MNF-I became United States Forces–Iraq.

Two special operations task forces also operated in Iraq. Task Force 77 (TF-77), a highly secretive unit under the Joint Special Operations Command, focused on pursuing al-Qaeda in Iraq. A separate, openly identified force was the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Arabian Peninsula (CJSOTF-AP), which worked under Special Operations Command Central. Most units listed here are U.S.-origin, and the order of battle describes maneuver units at the battalion level; support, advisory, and some specialty units are not listed. Many larger units lent battalions to others under operational control (OPCON).

Major formations and commands

- Multi-National Division–Baghdad (MND-B), based around Camp Victory, Baghdad. The 1st Cavalry Division (under Major General Daniel P. Bolger) provided the division headquarters and led the mission in Baghdad as Task Force Baghdad. Over the years, MND-B’s headquarters rotated among several divisions.
- Multi-National Division–South (MND-South), also known as Task Force Mountain, based around Basra. The 34th Infantry Division (Major General Rick C. Nash) led this force, which covered the area south of Baghdad from Najaf to Wasit and Basra. The U.K. previously led this area but transferred command to the U.S. on March 31, 2009.
- 25th Infantry Division / Task Force Lightning (TF Lightning), based at Contingency Operating Base Speicher near Tikrit. Led by Major General Robert L. Caslen Jr., this formation’s area included Balad, Kirkuk, Tikrit, Mosul, and Samarra, with brigades stationed in several cities.
- II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) (II MEF (Fwd)), led by Major General Richard T. Tryon and based at Al Asad Airbase. This force covered western Iraq, including Ramadi and Fallujah, where Iraq’s insurgency was strongest.
- 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) (3rd ESC), the senior logistics command under MN-Corps–Iraq, based at Joint Base Balad, supporting operations across Iraq.
- 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing (home at Joint Base Balad) and other air assets provided aerial support and logistics in Iraq.
- Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq (MNSTC-I) played a major role in training and mentoring Iraqi security forces.
- Navy Riverine Squadrons (Riverine Group 1) supported operations in riverine areas as part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, working with Army and Marine units. Three riverine squadrons (RIVRON 1, 2, and 3) operated in Iraq during this period.
- Combat Camera Group Pacific/Atlantic supported CJSOTF-AP and TF-77 with combat documentation and intelligence collection.

International forces and contributors

- Britain: The British Army commanded the former Multi-National Division–South-East (MND-SE), including troops from the U.K. and several partner nations. The U.K. began withdrawing forces in 2009, handing over Basra to U.S. control and reducing personnel to about 400 by July 2009. The 20th Armoured Brigade led British forces in Iraq, later attached to the U.S.-led Multinational Division South.
- Australia: About 100 Australian personnel protected the Australian Embassy in Baghdad as Joint Task Force 633, drawn from infantry, cavalry, military police, and support units. Australia also had personnel embedded with coalition headquarters and contributed officers to UNAMI.
- Romania: A Romanian battalion (26th Infantry Battalion, “Red Scorpions”) was stationed at Adder (Tallil/Ali Al-Faw) near Nasiriyah, attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, for convoy and guard duties, withdrawn in early June 2009.
- NATO Training Mission–Iraq: Not a combat mission; its goal was training and mentoring Iraqi security forces. It was funded by 28 NATO members, with 14 nations having personnel in theater. Ukraine participated alongside NATO partners.

Notes

- The force structure described here includes main maneuver units and does not exhaustively cover all support, advisory, or special operations elements.
- The distinction between MNF-Iraq forces and CENTCOM’s broader Iraq forces is noted, as is the transition of MNF-Iraq to United States Forces–Iraq in 2010.

This summary captures the key units and roles that formed the 2009 Iraqi theater order of battle in the U.S.-led coalition.