Operation Desert Scorpion ( Iraq 2003 ) Operation Desert Scorpion was a major U . S . operation to identify and eliminate anti - coalition forces while simultaneously delivering humanitarian aid . The area of operation was mainly in north - central Iraq and was conducted between 15 and 29 June 2003 . The stated task and purpose of Operation Desert Scorpion was to defeat remaining enemy non - compliant forces . It was planned as a major operation supporting the first " post - hostilities " campaign plan which had been issued just a week prior to its inception . Background . The operation followed Operation Peninsula Strike , which had ended three days earlier , and was part of a U . S response to a major spike in attacks by anti - coalition forces that began in late May 2003 . Operation Peninsula Strike was a 4th Infantry Division operation and was directly influenced by earlier warning orders of Operation Desert Scorpion . This operation was supported from Camp Spearhead Kuwait , by the 149th Transportation Company ( POCC ) , 10th Transportation BN ( TML ) , 7th Transportation GRP ( COMP ) . The operation . Combined Joint Task Force 7 conducted the operation that included elements from the 3rd Infantry Division , the 4th Infantry Division , the 101st Airborne Division , 1st Armored Division , the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment . The scheme of maneuver was first to gain intelligence to identify those elements , or forces , in Iraq that were preventing the establishment of interim governing capability . Simultaneously , the operation was to identify those elements who were supporting governance and stability in Iraq , and identify public works projects that would enable their efforts . The operation was designed to commence with country wide operations that defeated those remaining non - compliant forces while simultaneously providing funds and projects to those areas , and local leaders , who supported the growth of Iraqi governance and stability . The 3rd Infantry Division conducted five raids and detained 20 . The 3ID also seized 20 anti - tank rounds , three AK - 47 s , one Rocket propelled grenade and some C4 explosive s along with detonator s . The 3ID ' s humanitarian contributions to the operation included coordinating a trash collection service and removing 64 loads of trash from Fallujah and continued to work with the municipality to re - establish a waste collection system . The 4th Infantry Division conducted 43 raids in an area ranging from Kirkuk in the north to Taji in the south and initially detained 288 individuals . Sixty - five of the detained were held . The unit seized three AK - 47 s , one mortar site and one Dragunov night site . The division also placed a contract for playground equipment and a retaining wall for a school in their area , assisted a general hospital with $ 1 , 000 drug and supply purchase and purchased an ambulance . Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division conducted three raids and detained 12 individuals . The 101st Airborne Division also worked to rebuild drainage ditches and renovating the Mayor ’ s office in Makhmur , along with rebuilding at kindergarten schools . The 1st Armored Division executed offensive actions in Baghdad conducting six raids and detaining 22 individuals . The unit seized nine rifles , eight pistols , three knives , two boxes of grenades , one bomb and three 127mm rounds . The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted 11 raids and detained 39 individuals . It also passed out school supplies to the local schools in the eastern part of Iraq . Aftermath . During the raids , two former Iraqi generals turned themselves in , Maj . Gen . Abdul Ali Jasmin , secretary of the Defense Ministry , and Brig . Gen . Abdullah Ali Jasmin , head of the Iraqi Military Academy and were detained for questioning . Operation Desert Scorpion also resulted in the seizure of eight million US $ as well as a large sum of British pounds and Euros . Unfortunately , the operation did not achieve the desired effects . It was hampered initially by a failure to provide for the public works projects so critical to its success . While the Divisions ' submitted a total of approximately $ 53 million in requirements , only some $ 20 million were funded . Thus , the force did not achieve its aim to publicly demonstrate commitment to rewarding those who supported stability in Iraq . As well , the force did not allow time to develop the intelligence required to find , target and then attack the leaders of local insurgent movements . However , the legacy of Operation Desert Scorpion is still seen today in operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan . It has become a pattern for operations in both theaters .