Operation IRAQI FREEDOM returned the U.S. Army to Iraq twenty-two years following Desert Storm. The operation began with the objective of ending the regime of Saddam Hussein and finding and destroying weapons of mass destruction. The operation began on 23 March 2003 and the Iraqi capitol, Baghdad fell on 9 April 2003. The conflict would grow to an effort to seek and destroy terrorist networks in Iraq; deliver humanitarian support to many Iraqi citizens; and secure the oil fields which belong to the Iraqi people and bring about peace for the Iraqi people, but an insurgency grew, fighting the various ethnic groups attempting to influence the new Iraqi government and to remove any occupying coalition forces. Through all of this Transportation needed to continue, but soon the very transportation routes would be the frontline of the insurgency with the widespread adoption of ambushes using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Transportation convoys increasingly came under attack, so the Transportation Corps would return to its Vietnam roots and revise convoy escort units and equipment again.

Diorama containing a cargo HMMWV and M915A1 truck at a Transportation convoy rest area in Iraq on display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

The USS JOINT VENTURE (US Navy crew) and TSV SPEARHEAD (US Army crew) at Kuwait Naval Base for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

SGT Laurey, container yard non-commissioned officer-in-charge with the 611th Seaport Operations Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) uses a Rough Terrain Container Handler to move cargo at the central receiving and shipping point at COB Speicher, Iraq on 18 June 2010.

Soldier with Heavy Equipment Truck Transport (HETT) Platoon, 416th Transportation Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, ground guides a HETT loaded with an MRAP out of their motor pool on 26 June 2008 in Iraq. US Army Image.

Informal insignia of 424th Motor Truck Detachment, that was fielded by the USAF and operated M915 tractors for line haul missions from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in support of the US Army. Part of the artifact collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

MAJ Baldwin, the mobility chief for the 1st Sustainment Brigade, looks on as Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment opened the rail gates at Camp Taji from Baghdad on 10 March 2008. US Army Image

CW3 Senn, vessel master of the Logistics Support Vessel MG Charles P. Gross (LSV 5), briefs MG Walker, Commanding General of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, at the Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait, Feb. 6, 2019. US Army Image

Sept. 13, 2009 SPC Madueno and SPC Zander, both from 2nd platoon, 62nd Transportation Company, 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade poe with their Gold Medals after winning the international Soccer tournament at Al Asad Airfield in Iraq in September 2009. US Army Image.

These signs used outside Camp Arifjan, Kuwait to direct traffic were put in place sometime early during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but are now part of artifact collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

The modified M923 “Ace of Spades” deployed during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with an installed Livermore gun box on display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

The original Vietnam era "ACE OF SPADES" gun truck with three of gunners in the locally produced gun box. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

The modern “Ace of Spades”, a modified M923 deployed during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with an installed Livermore gun circa 2007. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.