Thunder Runs: A Case Study

According to Frontline and an interview with COL Perkins, “as the United States developed its war plan, it was clear that it would have to take Baghdad to have a decisive victory”.5 COL Perkin’s knew this and provided his unit with clear and concise purpose as well as the desired end state when conducting both Thunder Runs. The intent was to collect intelligence, push through city and remain downtown if specific conditions were met. The end state was to collapse the Saddam Government and Iraqi regime. Perkins acted on the guidance from LTG Wallace and MG Blount, and relayed it down to his three subordinate battalion commanders. COL Perkins ensured there was no confusion due to the high risk involved. He gave orders to “attack as fast as you can, and push through the center of the city. If a vehicle becomes disabled due to enemy fire, you immediately take the crew off, put them on another vehicle, and you just leave it”.6 COL Perkins gave specific guidance on Objective Moe, Larry and Curly which was crucial to keeping
Thunder Run helped lead to the collapse of the Saddam Government and helped in ending the conventional ground combat in Iraq. Perkins stated that the reconnaissance in force completely surprised the regime, and that the Iraqis were not planning for an armored unit coming into the city. LTG Wallace and MG Blount commended the decisive actions of COL Perkins and his subordinate battalion commanders. The proper use of mission command principles led to overall mission success which provided indicators of enemy tactics, strength and fighting positions, which ultimately helped shape future armored missions around