Baghdad, 2003

June 17, 2021 00:39:52
Baghdad, 2003
The Spear
Baghdad, 2003

Jun 17 2021 | 00:39:52

/

Show Notes

In 2003, Karl Blanke was a weapons platoon commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Crossing the line of departure in the first wave, Blanke’s Marines spent three weeks fighting their way north to Baghdad. Upon arrival, his company was immediately tasked with searching for high-value targets in a nearby neighborhood. The fight for the neighborhood saw several Marines wounded. This is the story of that fight and one of those Marines.

Other Episodes

Episode

December 22, 2023 00:54:36
Episode Cover

Objective Reindeer

In June 2003, almost three months after the US-led invasion of Iraq, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was given a mission. A...

Listen

Episode

November 07, 2019 00:35:46
Episode Cover

Protect the Ground Force

This episode of The Spear features a conversation with Capt. Lindsay Heisler. An aviation officer and Apache pilot, in December 2015 she was part...

Listen

Episode 0

October 15, 2021 00:53:57
Episode Cover

A Horse Soldier Reflects

In late 2001, Scott Neil was a US Army Special Forces soldier whose team was among the first US forces in Afghanistan—the legendary Horse...

Listen