Operation Marlborough
Encyclopedia
Operation Marlborough was the code name of a mission carried out by a British-American Special Air Service
(SAS) sniper team from Task Force Black, along with US Tier One Special Operations units such as Delta Force
, in Baghdad, Iraq
in July 2005. The team consisted of a 16-man SAS group, including 4 sniper teams, each armed with L115A AWM
sniper rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. Escape routes were watched by the remaining members of the group in case of immediate emergency or escape if and when needed. As back up, Task Force Red, a Special Forces Support Group
quick reaction force, was nearby. The sniper team's mission was to kill terrorist insurgents
wearing suicide vests laden
with explosives that intended to target cafes and restaurants frequented by members of the Iraqi security forces, as gathered by intelligence obtained by Iraqi double agent
s working for the Secret Intelligence Service
(MI6) and the CIA.
As the mission commenced, a United States predator spy drone (UAV
) had the target building under video surveillance, sending its imagery back to the Task Force Black Headquarters. Listening devices had been placed inside the building and were being monitored by Arabic-speaking translators.
Assaulting the building was an option, but the team believed that it would be too risky, so instead they waited patiently for the insurgents to exit the building. If they had assaulted the building, it was possible for any of the insurgents to detonate a bomb inside of it, creating the possibility of harming civilians and destroying the building structure. It was vital to kill all three bombers simultaneously to prevent any of them from detonating their explosives, harming surroundings and civilians.
The insurgents exited the building at 8 am, and the command to attack was given over the radio. The three SAS snipers opened fire; the fourth stood by for back up. All insurgents were killed simultaneously by shots to the head with the .338 Lapua magnum rounds.
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
(SAS) sniper team from Task Force Black, along with US Tier One Special Operations units such as Delta Force
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
, in Baghdad, Iraq
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
in July 2005. The team consisted of a 16-man SAS group, including 4 sniper teams, each armed with L115A AWM
Accuracy International AWM
The AWM is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. It is also known as the AWSM , which typically denotes the .338 Lapua Magnum version.-The Arctic Warfare Magnum system:...
sniper rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. Escape routes were watched by the remaining members of the group in case of immediate emergency or escape if and when needed. As back up, Task Force Red, a Special Forces Support Group
Special Forces Support Group
The Special Forces Support Group or SFSG is a special operations unit of the British Armed Forces. The SFSG is the newest addition to the United Kingdom Special Forces. It was formed officially on 3 April 2006 to support the Special Air Service and the Special Boat Service on operations. This could...
quick reaction force, was nearby. The sniper team's mission was to kill terrorist insurgents
Insurgency
An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents...
wearing suicide vests laden
Explosive belt
An explosive belt is an improvised explosive device, a belt or a vest packed with explosives and armed with a detonator, worn by suicide bombers...
with explosives that intended to target cafes and restaurants frequented by members of the Iraqi security forces, as gathered by intelligence obtained by Iraqi double agent
Double agent
A double agent, commonly abbreviated referral of double secret agent, is a counterintelligence term used to designate an employee of a secret service or organization, whose primary aim is to spy on the target organization, but who in fact is a member of that same target organization oneself. They...
s working for the Secret Intelligence Service
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
(MI6) and the CIA.
Operation
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
) had the target building under video surveillance, sending its imagery back to the Task Force Black Headquarters. Listening devices had been placed inside the building and were being monitored by Arabic-speaking translators.
Assaulting the building was an option, but the team believed that it would be too risky, so instead they waited patiently for the insurgents to exit the building. If they had assaulted the building, it was possible for any of the insurgents to detonate a bomb inside of it, creating the possibility of harming civilians and destroying the building structure. It was vital to kill all three bombers simultaneously to prevent any of them from detonating their explosives, harming surroundings and civilians.
The insurgents exited the building at 8 am, and the command to attack was given over the radio. The three SAS snipers opened fire; the fourth stood by for back up. All insurgents were killed simultaneously by shots to the head with the .338 Lapua magnum rounds.