March 17

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

2003

In an address to the nation, President Bush sent Saddam Hussein a clear message, “The Iraqi regime has used diplomacy as a ploy to gain time and advantage. …All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing.”

2004

(March 17-18)The Marine Corps suffered its first casualties in its second Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation when three Marines were killed by enemy forces in the Al Anbar province in Iraq.
The Marines of the 22d MEU, as part of the Wasp ESG 2, entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations when they transited the Suez Canal. A few days later, the Pentagon announced the Marines were to join U.S. forces already in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Two thousand Marines were already in country prior to the deployment of the 22d MEU, including 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, which had been in Afghanistan since late 2003 conducting operations as part of the coalition forces’ continuing effort to destroy terrorist cells, provide humanitarian assistance, and bring stability to the country.
Operation Shillelagh in Iraq
Operation Suicide Kings in Iraq

2007

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 returned to MCAS New River, North Carolina, following a seven-month deployment to Iraq. Several days later on 26 March, Marines with the Yuma-based Marine Attack Squadron 211 also returned home. Both squadrons had been based at Al Asad Air Base during their deployment to Iraq.
Operation Dragon Surge in Iraq

2008

Marines with 24th MEU began arriving in southern Afghanistan for a scheduled seven-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit was based in Kandahar Province, the Taliban’s former power base.

Casualties on March 17: