A U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior pilot from 1-4, Cavalry, 1ST Infantry Division awaiting take off in an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter from Forward Operation Base McKenzie, Iraq, on Oct 23, 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.(U.S. Air Force PHOTO by STAFF SGT. Shane A. Cuomo) (RELEASED)

Iraq War aka Operation IRAQI FREEDOM was the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by U.S. Army General Tommy Franks, under the code-name "Operation Iraqi Freedom". 248,000 soldiers from the United States, 45,000 British soldiers, 2,000 Australian soldiers and 194 Polish soldiers from Special Forces unit GROM sent to Kuwait for the invasion. The invasion force was also supported by Iraqi Kurdish militia troops, estimated to number upwards of 70,000.