Operation Iraqi Freedom - M6 Bradley Linebacker
The display reads:
Operation Iraqi Freedom – M6 Bradley Linebacker
The M6 Bradley Linebacker entered service in the late 1990s and gave the Army an armored air defense vehicle that could keep pace with the Abrams and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Based on the standard M2A2 (ODS) Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Linebacker replaced the turret-mounted twin TOW missile pod with a quad Stinger pod and added an IFF radar to the right front of the turret.
By the mid-1990s, the Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle had been in service for several years, but was essentially a standard M2A2 Bradley with a dismounted Stinger team in the back to engage threat aircraft. The integration of the Stinger with the Bradley turret on a Linebacker now allowed the crew to remain inside the vehicle while still being able to acquire, identify, track and engage an enemy aircraft with Stinger missiles.
Linebackers provided essential air defense for friendly forces during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and quickly transitioned to a multi-role combat vehicle when their air threat failed to materialize. Like the M42 Duster of the Vietnam Era, the Linebacker performed well in both the FOB defense and in Infantry support roles.
With the shifting focus on combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the lack of air threat, the Army initiated a program to convert all of the remaining Linebackers back to M2A2 standard. As a result, the last Linebackers left Iraq in 2006 and closed the most recent chapter of armored air defense in the US Army.
The museum’s M6 served in Iraq in both 2003 and 2005 with Predator Battery, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. While on patrol in 2005, it hit a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that detonated and blew off the first three road wheels and all of the armor on the left side of the vehicle. The three crewmen aboard all survived the blast with some injuries, but the vehicle was too badly damaged to put back into service. It arrived at the museum in 2010 and the exterior has been painstakingly restored by volunteers to appear as it did in Iraq. The museum’s Linebacker is the sole remaining M6 in existence. The remaining ninety-seven vehicles have all been converted back to M2A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle standard, ending a decade of armored SHORAD in US Army service.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Defense Artillery) Charles Earnel Branson, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Branson distinguished himself while serving as the Commander of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 3d Air Defense Artillery, in direct support of the First Brigade Combat Team of the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) during the Battle for Objective JENKINS from 24 to 29 March 2003. The First Brigade commander issued Captain Branson a tactical mission order to secure a bridge in the vicinity of the village of Al Kifal to enable the brigade to continue its attack in Karbala. For this mission, in addition to his two Bradley Linebacker platoons, Captain Branson received a tank platoon from 3-69 Armor as a reserve, a Combat Observation Lasing Team (COLT), and a Long-Range Acquisition System (LRAS) team. An air defense battery commander leading a Bradley and tank company team in an attack was unprecedented. Just after midnight on 25 March 2003, Captain Branson's company team reached the service road leading to the bridge and immediately began receiving heavy rocket-propelled grenades and small arms and mortar fire from a hostile force well established in prepared defensive positions on the near side of the bridge. Captain Branson pulled his forces back to a rally point and called in artillery fire to suppress the enemy fire. He rallied his forces and continued the attack, only to receive additional heavy fire. For the next eight hours, Captain Branson maintained the momentum of the attack, calling for artillery fires on three separate occasions and requesting he commitment of the reserve tank platoon, which arrived at 0800 on the morning of 25 March 2003. In a last ditch effort to halt Captain Branson's unrelenting assault, the Iraqis attempted to blow the bridge. A portion of the bridge collapsed, but that did not stop the attack as Captain Branson aggressively ordered his tanks to cross the weakened structure. This action turned the tide of the battle. Following additional fire and maneuver, Captain Branson's force secured the bridgehead, but fierce fighting continued for the next 36 hours. Later that day, the remainder of Task Force 3-69 Armor was committed to the fight. On 26 March 2003, Task Force 2-69 Armor relieved Task Force 3-69 Armor to continue the lodgment expansion on the far side of the bridgehead. Captain Branson and his company team were ultimately relieved on 29 March 2003. The enemy battle damage assessment for this operation included more than 200 enemy killed in action, 20 "technical" vehicles destroyed, and the capture of numerous weapons caches. Captain Branson's personal bravery, expert coordination of artillery fire and ground attack, and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected greet credit upon himself, the "Rock of the Marne" Division and the United States Army.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Matthew T. Gruidl, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against a hostile force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant First Class Gruidl distinguished himself while serving as Platoon Sergeant of 2d Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, Third Air Defense Artillery, from 27 January to June 2003. On 22 March 2003, Task Force 2-7 Infantry made contact with Iraqi Forces in As Samawah, Iraq. Sergeant First Class Gruidl willingly and without orders volunteered to reestablish linkup for a lost and separated portion of Task Force 2-7 convoy that was receiving small-arms fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant First Class Gruidl continually exposed himself to hostile fire while using his Bradley Linebacker to shield the lost convoy against sporadic AK-47 fire as he led it out of the hostile area to safety and reestablished linkup with the remainder of the Task Force 2-7 Tactical Operations Center. Numerous rounds of small-arms fire hit his Bradley Linebacker with one round striking his combat vehicle crewman helmet. On 24 March 2003, Alpha Battery was ambushed while securing Objective JENKINS by a large Iraqi infantry force. Sergeant First Class Gruidl maneuvered his Bradley Linebacker toward four Iraqi soldiers hiding in a ditch. The Iraqi soldiers immediately exited the ditch, and one ran around the rear of his platoon leader's track. Almost immediately, one of the Iraqi soldiers leapt onto the platoon leader's Bradley Linebacker. Without hesitation, Sergeant First Class Gruidl engaged the Iraqi soldier with a burst of .50-caliber rounds that removed the Iraqi soldier from the platoon leader's vehicle. His quick action saved the lives of the three-man crew. During the seizure of Objective LIONS (Saddam International Airport) on 4 April 2003, Sergeant First Class Gruidl contributed to the sustainment of platoon operations, which enable the only Air Defense Artillery elements at Objective LIONS to successfully complete their mission. His actions at Objective LIONS directly affected his platoon's success. Sergeant First Class Gruidl's selfless service and dedication to the mission were exemplary. His person courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military services and reflected great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Taken December 13th, 2013.
Operation Iraqi Freedom - M6 Bradley Linebacker
The display reads:
Operation Iraqi Freedom – M6 Bradley Linebacker
The M6 Bradley Linebacker entered service in the late 1990s and gave the Army an armored air defense vehicle that could keep pace with the Abrams and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Based on the standard M2A2 (ODS) Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Linebacker replaced the turret-mounted twin TOW missile pod with a quad Stinger pod and added an IFF radar to the right front of the turret.
By the mid-1990s, the Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle had been in service for several years, but was essentially a standard M2A2 Bradley with a dismounted Stinger team in the back to engage threat aircraft. The integration of the Stinger with the Bradley turret on a Linebacker now allowed the crew to remain inside the vehicle while still being able to acquire, identify, track and engage an enemy aircraft with Stinger missiles.
Linebackers provided essential air defense for friendly forces during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and quickly transitioned to a multi-role combat vehicle when their air threat failed to materialize. Like the M42 Duster of the Vietnam Era, the Linebacker performed well in both the FOB defense and in Infantry support roles.
With the shifting focus on combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the lack of air threat, the Army initiated a program to convert all of the remaining Linebackers back to M2A2 standard. As a result, the last Linebackers left Iraq in 2006 and closed the most recent chapter of armored air defense in the US Army.
The museum’s M6 served in Iraq in both 2003 and 2005 with Predator Battery, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. While on patrol in 2005, it hit a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that detonated and blew off the first three road wheels and all of the armor on the left side of the vehicle. The three crewmen aboard all survived the blast with some injuries, but the vehicle was too badly damaged to put back into service. It arrived at the museum in 2010 and the exterior has been painstakingly restored by volunteers to appear as it did in Iraq. The museum’s Linebacker is the sole remaining M6 in existence. The remaining ninety-seven vehicles have all been converted back to M2A3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle standard, ending a decade of armored SHORAD in US Army service.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Defense Artillery) Charles Earnel Branson, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Branson distinguished himself while serving as the Commander of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 3d Air Defense Artillery, in direct support of the First Brigade Combat Team of the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) during the Battle for Objective JENKINS from 24 to 29 March 2003. The First Brigade commander issued Captain Branson a tactical mission order to secure a bridge in the vicinity of the village of Al Kifal to enable the brigade to continue its attack in Karbala. For this mission, in addition to his two Bradley Linebacker platoons, Captain Branson received a tank platoon from 3-69 Armor as a reserve, a Combat Observation Lasing Team (COLT), and a Long-Range Acquisition System (LRAS) team. An air defense battery commander leading a Bradley and tank company team in an attack was unprecedented. Just after midnight on 25 March 2003, Captain Branson's company team reached the service road leading to the bridge and immediately began receiving heavy rocket-propelled grenades and small arms and mortar fire from a hostile force well established in prepared defensive positions on the near side of the bridge. Captain Branson pulled his forces back to a rally point and called in artillery fire to suppress the enemy fire. He rallied his forces and continued the attack, only to receive additional heavy fire. For the next eight hours, Captain Branson maintained the momentum of the attack, calling for artillery fires on three separate occasions and requesting he commitment of the reserve tank platoon, which arrived at 0800 on the morning of 25 March 2003. In a last ditch effort to halt Captain Branson's unrelenting assault, the Iraqis attempted to blow the bridge. A portion of the bridge collapsed, but that did not stop the attack as Captain Branson aggressively ordered his tanks to cross the weakened structure. This action turned the tide of the battle. Following additional fire and maneuver, Captain Branson's force secured the bridgehead, but fierce fighting continued for the next 36 hours. Later that day, the remainder of Task Force 3-69 Armor was committed to the fight. On 26 March 2003, Task Force 2-69 Armor relieved Task Force 3-69 Armor to continue the lodgment expansion on the far side of the bridgehead. Captain Branson and his company team were ultimately relieved on 29 March 2003. The enemy battle damage assessment for this operation included more than 200 enemy killed in action, 20 "technical" vehicles destroyed, and the capture of numerous weapons caches. Captain Branson's personal bravery, expert coordination of artillery fire and ground attack, and exemplary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected greet credit upon himself, the "Rock of the Marne" Division and the United States Army.
Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Matthew T. Gruidl, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against a hostile force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant First Class Gruidl distinguished himself while serving as Platoon Sergeant of 2d Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, Third Air Defense Artillery, from 27 January to June 2003. On 22 March 2003, Task Force 2-7 Infantry made contact with Iraqi Forces in As Samawah, Iraq. Sergeant First Class Gruidl willingly and without orders volunteered to reestablish linkup for a lost and separated portion of Task Force 2-7 convoy that was receiving small-arms fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant First Class Gruidl continually exposed himself to hostile fire while using his Bradley Linebacker to shield the lost convoy against sporadic AK-47 fire as he led it out of the hostile area to safety and reestablished linkup with the remainder of the Task Force 2-7 Tactical Operations Center. Numerous rounds of small-arms fire hit his Bradley Linebacker with one round striking his combat vehicle crewman helmet. On 24 March 2003, Alpha Battery was ambushed while securing Objective JENKINS by a large Iraqi infantry force. Sergeant First Class Gruidl maneuvered his Bradley Linebacker toward four Iraqi soldiers hiding in a ditch. The Iraqi soldiers immediately exited the ditch, and one ran around the rear of his platoon leader's track. Almost immediately, one of the Iraqi soldiers leapt onto the platoon leader's Bradley Linebacker. Without hesitation, Sergeant First Class Gruidl engaged the Iraqi soldier with a burst of .50-caliber rounds that removed the Iraqi soldier from the platoon leader's vehicle. His quick action saved the lives of the three-man crew. During the seizure of Objective LIONS (Saddam International Airport) on 4 April 2003, Sergeant First Class Gruidl contributed to the sustainment of platoon operations, which enable the only Air Defense Artillery elements at Objective LIONS to successfully complete their mission. His actions at Objective LIONS directly affected his platoon's success. Sergeant First Class Gruidl's selfless service and dedication to the mission were exemplary. His person courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military services and reflected great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Taken December 13th, 2013.