In the spring of 2003, the eyes of the planet turned to the Persian Gulf, where tension was increasing, announcing another armed conflict. 2 years earlier, on September 11, 2001, there were attacks on the planet Trade Center. As a result, the president of the United States, George W. Bush, declared a global “war against terrorism”.
GROM soldiers in Umm Kasr port, confederate Iraq.
One of the leaders accused by the US of supporting terrorists and destabilising the global situation was Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Washington accused Baghdad of possession of weapons of mass demolition and of violating the United Nations resolution after the first Gulf War in 1991. In 2002, the UN called for Iraq to disarm, but, according to the US administration, these actions were insufficient. In the end, the United States and the United Kingdom considered that the Hussein government did not meet its obligations. Despite global protests, president Bush decided to launch a military operation aimed at overthrowing the Iraqi leader.
The beginning of “Iratic Freedom”
On 20 March 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom began. 1 of the first objectives was to occupy Umm Kasr – a strategical port called the door to Iraq. He was the 1 who was going to supply the coalition troops. The acquisition of the KAAOT oil terminal (Khawr al-Amaya Oil Terminal), the ‘key hole’ of the port entrance, was besides crucial. This task was entrusted to the soldiers Military Unit GROM, who had already trained in the Persian Gulf area and collaborated with the U.S. Navy SEALs peculiar Branch. The commander of the operation was Captain Andrzej Kruczyński “The Leader”. "This was the first specified large combat action of Polish soldiers after planet War II. A real test of our capabilities," he recalled years later.
The operation plan was developed by GROM itself. The work was carried out in 3 independent subgroups, each of which prepared its own policy option. The final decision to choose the plan was made by the commander. The Americans accepted it without reservation, it was a clear signal that Poles from the function of “students” became full partners.
Prior to the operation, the commandos spent dozens of hours in training. A model terminal was built close the base, mapping corridors and rooms, including the hotel section. all variant has been practiced: approach to the target, entrance to the object from the pontoon boats, placement of the sharpshooters and emergency scenarios. KAAOT was nearly a 1000 metres long and consisted of extended industrial infrastructure – pumping stations, transmission installations and residential parts. The usage of weapons in a place filled with oil and gas could lead to a disaster, which is why precision and control were crucial.
How can you control your emotions during surgery in a place so dangerous? Fear in specified a situation sharpens my senses. I can see and hear better. It's something that helps me. And erstwhile I do my job, I'm so focused that I walk like a string, almost automatically doing step by step. These are the things GROM teaches, says Kruczyński, although he adds that before the operation he had a crisis situation. And all due to reports written and corrected just before her. – The commanders of the unit did not like their form and I had to prepare them again. delight believe that copying papers is not what you want to do 5 minutes before you start the operation. There are things crucial and little important. But we all learned then – Kruczyński admits.
Wonderful work.
The critical minute before the operation began was... waiting for political approval from Warsaw. erstwhile it yet arrived, the soldiers departed from the base in Kuwait on the Mark V and RHIB boats. At the same time, the selectors took positions in helicopters patrolling the bay's waters. Operators took with them different equipment: metallic saws, dense hammers, extra fuel. They each carried between a twelve and a fewer twelve kilograms of equipment. As it turned out later, everything was needed. It took only a twelve minutes to get to the platform and master it. Much more time took to search the hotel and underground infrastructure – in addition to utmost heat and hard conditions. A full of about six–seven hours have passed since entering the platform to leave. All ammunition was utilized to break down doors, saw fuel, and all cutting shields. fresh obstacles have been pushed through the construction elements of the platform – metallic tubes and angles.
Soldiers set off from base in Kuwait on Mark V and RHIB boats. March 2003
After winning the KAAOT GROM he received... further tasks. – virtually a fewer moments later, we learned about another job. We've been moving for almost 72 hours. It is simply a good thing that we had food rations with each other," Kruczyński recalls. I went to bed for a while after. In a moment, individual wakes me up and gives me another order. I said no! We can't act all the time, I can't put people and myself at risk. Yes, they looked with surprise and respect. I had to keep my sanity – he says “Chief”.
The acquisition of the KAAOT terminal opened the way to the port of Umm Kasr and enabled the efficient conduct of logistics operations of coalition troops. The operation of Polish soldiers was highly appreciated by allies. The then U.S. Secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld described GROM's activities as a wonderful work. The operation became 1 of the most crucial moments in the past of Polish peculiar forces. Was it a hard task? - Very. It wasn't the first operation on the water, but the full planet was looking at us. If we had a slip of the leg, it would be the end of the prestige of the GROM – admits “Chief”.
