The Tipping Point by James Dietz
Image Size: 25" x 15"
Overall Size: 31" x 21.5"
500 Military Edition
250 Publisher Proof Edition
100 Artist Proof Edition
The Tipping Point
Sadr City had been under the control of radical cleric Muqtada Al Sadr and had been off limits to coalition forces by the Government of Iraq. This area of Baghdad allowed Shiite militias and Special Groups the ability to target the International Zone with indirect fire and established a safe zone for supporting terror and carrying out attacks against coalition forces and the citizens of Iraq. Following several indirect fire attacks against the IZ and attacks on coalition forces in March 2008, Task Force Striker (3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division) was ordered to eliminate Special Groups' leadership and clear the enemy from the town of Sadr City and eliminate the indirect fire threat against the International Zone and Baghdad.
Task Force Striker, led by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division included the following units: 1st Battalion, 68th Combined Arms Battalion; 1st Squadron, 2 Striker Cavalry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment; 64th Brigade Support Battalion, B Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment; A Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and D Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, and C Company, 1st Armor Regiment. Aviation support and Reconnaissance was provided by the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade and 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
This print depicts what operations were like on a daily basis during the Battle of Sadr City and the construction of the Gold Wall, a 12 foot-high, four-thousand meter long concrete barrier. Task Force Striker was under constant fire during the construction of the Gold Wall, which was constructed to isolate Special Groups and forces loyal to Sadr from influencing the citizens of Sadr City and the Jamilla Market with criminal activity and extortion. Visible in the background is the construction of the Gold Wall along near the Jamilla Market.
The Soldiers of Task Force Striker courageously represented the United States of America in combat across Sadr City for nearly 2 Months, and their audacity in the face of the enemy is legendary. Steadfast to the Mission and loyal to the cause of freedom.