2014 War Against the Islamic State

155 mm artillery round in the 2014 War Against the Islamic State

U.S. Army reporting documents coalition M777A2 crews firing 155 mm artillery rounds and high-explosive shells in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve, including Firebase Saham border missions and Operation Swift raids against ISIS targets.

Weapon profile155 mm artillery round
SideAnti-ISIS coalition and partner forcesRoleFire SupportInterdiction
155 mm artillery round, 155 mm artillery ammunition family, Munitions - 2014 War Against the Islamic State
Image source: Load, assemble and pack operation on 155mm artillery rounds at Iowa Army Ammunition Plant

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
Coalition M777A2 crews fired 155 mm high-explosive shells from Firebase Saham near the Iraq-Syria border.

Sources: Firebase Saham: A Day in the Life of Joint-Artillerymen Securing the Iraq Border

A U.S. M777A2 fired a 155 mm artillery round during Operation Swift against ISIS targets in Iraq's Makhmour Mountains.

Sources: Troopers Conduct Powerful Gun Raid Against ISIS

DVIDS imagery documents an M777A2 fire mission in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve on November 20, 2018.

Sources: Firebase Saham Artillery Mission

Timeline

155 mm artillery round In 2014 War Against the Islamic State

  1. Firebase Saham established

    U.S. Army reporting says 3rd Cavalry Regiment soldiers helped establish Firebase Saham near the Iraq-Syria border, incorporating Iraqi M109 Paladin and French CAESAR 155 mm artillery units alongside U.S. M777 crews.

    Sources: Firebase Saham: A Day in the Life of Joint-Artillerymen Securing the Iraq Border

  2. M777A2 fire mission documented

    DVIDS imagery documented 3rd Cavalry Regiment field-artillery soldiers firing an M777A2 howitzer in Iraq while supporting Iraqi Security Forces during Operation Inherent Resolve.

    Sources: Firebase Saham Artillery Mission

  3. Operation Swift gun raid

    A U.S. Army report described a 155 mm artillery round fired from an M777A2 during Operation Swift, a coalition raid against ISIS targets in Iraq's Makhmour Mountains.

    Sources: Troopers Conduct Powerful Gun Raid Against ISIS

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The 155 mm artillery round is directly documented in the anti-ISIS campaign through U.S. Army reports from Iraq in late 2018. At Firebase Saham, a U.S. M777A2 crew fired volleys of 155 mm high-explosive shells while supporting efforts to stop ISIS fighters moving near the Iraq-Syria border.

A separate U.S. Army report on Operation Swift described a 155 mm artillery round leaving an M777A2 during a coalition gun raid in Iraq's Makhmour Mountains on December 22, 2018. The raid paired artillery and airstrikes against ISIS targets and was conducted in coordination with Iraqi Security Forces.

Sources: Troopers Conduct Powerful Gun Raid Against ISIS, Firebase Saham: A Day in the Life of Joint-Artillerymen Securing the Iraq Border

Firebase Saham

Firebase Saham was established near Iraq's border with Syria in November 2018. U.S., French, and Iraqi artillery units operated there to support the Middle Euphrates River Valley offensive and to prevent ISIS fighters from crossing into Iraq.

The artillery mix at the firebase included U.S. M777 howitzers, French CAESAR 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, and Iraqi M109 Paladins. The U.S. Army article specifically identifies M777A2 crews firing 155 mm high-explosive shells, while DVIDS imagery from November 20, 2018 shows 3rd Cavalry Regiment field-artillery soldiers firing an M777A2 in support of Iraqi Security Forces.

Sources: Firebase Saham: A Day in the Life of Joint-Artillerymen Securing the Iraq Border, Firebase Saham Artillery Mission

Operation Swift

On December 22, 2018, Field Artillery Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment conducted a gun raid for Operation Swift in the Makhmour Mountains. The Army described the event as the first artillery raid in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

The operation used an air-assaulted M777A2 howitzer to reinforce coalition airstrikes on ISIS weapons caches and hiding places. In this documented role, 155 mm rounds provided mobile fire support and interdiction against ISIS positions while supporting Iraqi partner forces.

Sources: Troopers Conduct Powerful Gun Raid Against ISIS, Firebase Saham: A Day in the Life of Joint-Artillerymen Securing the Iraq Border, Firebase Saham Artillery Mission

Images

Conflict Context

U.S. Army soldiers firing an M777A2 howitzer during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq
3rd Cavalry Regiment field-artillery soldiers fire an M777A2 howitzer while supporting Iraqi Security Forces in Iraq on November 20, 2018.

Sources: Firebase Saham Artillery Mission

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Sources