U.S. forces in the region. The battalion moved out of Saudi Arabia and into Kuwait three days before the ground offensive began on 24 February, and then became the first allied infantry force to enter Kuwait. After breaching two enemy minefields, 3/7 took over Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, which was believed to be the main command post for all enemy forces in Kuwait. The battalion departed Saudi Arabia in early March. Somali Civil War From January to March 1995, elements of the battalion—namely Kilo Company, augmented with elements from India Company, Lima Company, and Weapons Company—participated in Peacetime Enforcement Operation, Operation United Shield in Somalia. The operation was the closing chapter of United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II). A Combined Task Force (CTF), commanded by the United States, including two ships of the Pakistan Navy, two ships of the Italian Navy and six ships of the United States Navy evacuated all UN Peacekeeping Forces from Somalia. On 27 February 1995, minutes before midnight, the Blade executed an amphibious assault on the city of Mogadishu, part of a mechanized force consisting of about 1,800 US Marines and 350 Italian Marines. Aboard LCUs LAVs, AAVs, and LCACs the joint task force secured Mogadishu International Airport and New Port. The entire amphibious landing was complete by 0430 on the morning of 28 February, and evacuation procedures immediately commenced. By 3 March 1995, 73 hours after the beginning of the amphibious landing, all 2,422 United Nations troops, approximately 3,800 CTF troops and over a hundred combat vehicles had withdrawn without any loss of life among any of the coalition forces. Global War on Terror (GWOT) Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 - 1st Tour 3/7 was part of the main effort, and took a major role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The premier infantry combat unit in the world, they originally deployed in January 2003, moved north in March and reached Baghdad by April – securing several cities, military bases, terrorist training facilities, and various other objectives along the way. They then moved south for a five-month security assignment doing stabilizing operations in Karbala until September 2003. During the assignment, India Company, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines operated in Mahmudiyah, Iraq in support of Task Force Scorpion during July and August 2003. Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines were tasked out with the training of the Iraqi Police force, intelligence gathering, disruption and dismantling