Reaching BOP: The Five-Day Convoy to Baghdad International Airport and Its Role in Securing the Green Zone

Our convoy’s mission was clear: reach Baghdad International Airport, or BOP (Base of Operations), and from there, begin the critical work that would support operations throughout the region. The five-day convoy through the blistering desert wasn’t just a trek—it was a calculated move to position us at one of the most strategic locations in Iraq. Baghdad International Airport had long been a pivotal stronghold, and upon arrival, we knew our work would have lasting impacts not only on the war but on securing the nearby Green Zone, the heart of coalition control in Baghdad.

The journey to BOP was fraught with challenges. We moved as a convoy through some of the most dangerous stretches of road Iraq had to offer. IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and the threat of ambushes were constant. We traveled slowly, carefully, with eyes constantly scanning the horizon and our hearts pounding in anticipation. The heat was unforgiving, and every delay or potential threat only added to the tension. But we knew the importance of our mission. Reaching BOP wasn’t just about establishing another military outpost—it was about securing a key asset that would enable us to support the broader operations in Baghdad, including the defense of the Green Zone.

The Green Zone, known as the International Zone, was the heavily fortified area in central Baghdad that housed the Iraqi government and the coalition’s headquarters. It was the epicenter of political and military coordination, where diplomats, military leaders, and civilian contractors operated in relative safety behind blast walls and barbed wire. Protecting the Green Zone was essential for maintaining stability in the capital and keeping the wheels of coalition governance turning.

When we finally reached BOP after five grueling days, there was no time to rest. Baghdad International Airport was already a base of operations, but it was constantly evolving to meet the demands of the war. Our convoy carried supplies that were crucial for reinforcing the base—defenses that would secure both BOP and the supply lines leading to the Green Zone. We immediately got to work, fortifying the airport’s perimeter, unloading gear, and setting up defensive positions. The strategic importance of BOP in this operation couldn’t be overstated; it was the logistical hub that ensured the Green Zone remained supplied and secure.

Baghdad International Airport wasn’t just a place where soldiers rested between missions; it was the nerve center for operations in the region. Troops and supplies moved through the airport daily, and aircraft regularly delivered the materials needed to sustain the war effort. The proximity of BOP to the Green Zone made it critical to maintaining stability in the heart of Baghdad. Without the airport, the Green Zone would have been more vulnerable, and the supply lines that kept the coalition strong could have been disrupted.

The historical importance of the Green Zone during the Iraq War is significant. It represented a bastion of control in the middle of Baghdad, where the new Iraqi government and international coalition forces coordinated efforts to rebuild the country and combat insurgency. The defense and supply of this zone were crucial for ensuring the ongoing political stability and military effectiveness of coalition forces. Every day that we operated from BOP, we contributed to the safety and security of the Green Zone, ensuring that the operations inside the walls could continue unhindered.

Our time at BOP reinforced the interconnectedness of the war effort. The Green Zone’s stability depended on the supply lines running through Baghdad International Airport, and our mission was to make sure those lines stayed open. The five-day convoy was just the start; the real work came after, as we built, defended, and sustained the base that played a key role in the larger strategy. Each mission that launched from BOP, each supply run that made it to the Green Zone, was a small victory in a much larger battle for control and stability in Iraq.

Reaching BOP wasn’t just a checkpoint in our deployment; it was the foundation upon which much of the coalition’s effort in Baghdad was built. The Green Zone’s security, and by extension, the coalition’s political and military command, depended on the operations running smoothly from BOP. Looking back, that five-day convoy was the beginning of something much bigger than we could have imagined, a mission that would shape the course of the war in Baghdad and beyond.