The following are events related to the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) that took place on this day.

2006

• As the Marines of 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, began deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the unit was among the first to return to Iraq for a fourth tour.

2010

• End of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. President Obama announced that the American combat mission in Iraq had ended. A transitional force of U.S. troops remained in Iraq with a different mission: advising and assisting Iraq’s security forces, supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counterterrorism missions, and protecting U.S. civilians.

Casualties on August 31:

• FULLER, CHAD EDWARD – August 31, 2003
• THOMAS, ADAM LEE – August 31, 2003
• AMES, JASON ERIC – August 31, 2005
• MILLER, LOWELL THOMAS II – August 31, 2005
• RUTH, MONTA SHEVAUZ – August 31, 2005
• DEASON, MICHAEL LEE – August 31, 2006
• GILBERTSON, KEVIN ALLAN – August 31, 2007
• HARRIS, JOSHUA THOMAS – August 31, 2008
• BROCHU, JORDAN MYKLE – August 31, 2009
• HALL, DAVID RAY – August 31, 2009
• WALSHE, TYLER ROBERT – August 31, 2009
• WELCH, JONATHAN DAVID – August 31, 2009
• ADKINSON, VINSON BRYON III – August 31, 2010
• ALCARAZ, RAYMOND CHAVEZ JR – August 31, 2010
• BOVIA, JOSEPH ANTHONY – August 31, 2010
• GEORGE, MATTHEW ERIC – August 31, 2010
• PAGE, JAMES ANTHONY – August 31, 2010
• ROBERTS, CODY ALLEN – August 31, 2010
• JAMES, DENNIS JR – August 31, 2011
• SHUMAKER, KEVIN ROGER – August 31, 2011
• BOWDEN, JOSHUA JAMES – August 31, 2013