The first 40 days of the war in Iraq as seen through the eyes of an elite group of U.S. Marines who spearheaded the invasion along with an embedded Rolling Stone reporter. A vivid account of the soldiers and of the forces that guided them in an often-improvised initiative.
Written by Sophie and last updated on nov 24, 2022.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
In northern Kuwait, First Recon Marines prepare to invade Iraq as the 'tip of the spear' for Operation Iraqi Freedom. At Camp Mathilda, soldiers in First Recon's Bravo Company combat boredom, cramped tents, mustache protocol, ineptitude, a wind storm, an espresso machine fire, and rumors of J-Lo's death while awaiting orders from Col. Stephen 'Godfather' Ferrando.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 649 votes.
Having survived its first trial by fire, Bravo presses forward, awaiting orders for a new recon mission. Scoping out a roadside hamlet, the company watches in horror as a combat team arrives with guns firing and the hamlet is obliterated. Later, Bravo heads to Ar Rifa, where Ferrando issues a new order: capture an airstrip controlled by the Republican Guard.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 456 votes.
Under orders to consider any Iraqi carrying a weapon hostile, Bravo busts north towards Nasiriyah and Mesopotamia, but they continue to lag behind. Chomping at the bit, the platoon finally gets 'lit up' in a violent skirmish in Al Gharraf, during which Trombley scores his first kill. Elated and relatively unscathed, the platoon celebrates.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 520 votes.
Having raced to capture the airfield, First Recon has some time to rest and regroup. The abandoned supply truck has been looted and destroyed and the company is now down to one meal a day. After expressing their dismay to their commander, Alpha is tasked with a different mission: to recover the body of a captured Marine who was murdered in Ah Shatra.
The episode was rated 7.98 from 414 votes.
Outside of Al Kut, Captain America is over-eager in his attempts to subdue a prisoner, while his men's growing disillusionment with his command is growing more apparent. Meanwhile, Ferrando relays to his officers the news that his counterpart in the Regimental Combat Team has been relieved of duty despite achieving his objective.
The episode was rated 8.07 from 383 votes.
As they scope a tiny hamlet, the men of Bravo are frustrated by the capricious nature of the war, and Colbert struggles to defend the actions of the higher-ups. First Recon finally gets to use their skills and exploit intelligence from Iraqi locals about an ambush at a bridge ahead. For once, First Recon isn't tasked with heading straight into the ambush.
The episode was rated 8.14 from 406 votes.
Bravo reaches Baghdad, where the men are shocked by the size and scope of the city. They set up shop in an abandoned cigarette factory and get a chance to rest for a bit, although the factory grounds aren't quite as secure as they'd like. Hampered by having only one translator for the battalion, First Recon can only send sporadic patrols into the city.
The episode was rated 8.26 from 395 votes.
