The real life events which took place from 2006 through 2007, and how the U.S. Marines of Alpha Co. 1/24 4th Marine Division were a pivotal role in the Tribal Awakening against Al Qaeda in Fallujah, Iraq.
sons of fallujah
synopsis
Imagine signing up with a U.S. Marine Recruiter as a young 18 year old from a Michigan farm community, or the deep southern hills of Tennessee, only to witness the events of September 11, 2001, and knowing in your heart, your number soon would be called.
What if instead you were an Iraqi National, of the same age, watching brutal zealots tear your communities apart with radical violence including rape, torture and beheadings; Every man of fighting age ripped from their homes and every woman and child used as ransom.
Suddenly tribal factions are asked to either defend their beloved religion by any means, while perhaps alienating their only chance of survival, U.S. intervention, in the process.
While old tribal leaders sit on their hands unable to side with the Insurgency in order to be protected, much like a mafia contract, or ally with the Americans and have an actual chance at restoring their basic human rights, a young rebellious leader emerges.
Known only by the mysterious code name “Dark”, a defiant son of a Paramount Sheikh decides to take matters into his own hands, much like a real-life version of “Tony Soprano”. When Marines inadvertently kill one of his men, causing a showdown that could erupt in violence, he seizes the opportunity to side with the Americans. Their firepower and resources, could help his aspirations for a desperate grab for power in the region.
Against better judgment a Marine Commander on the ground decides to side with him and actually arm his men, in order to fight the mutual enemy of Al Qaeda. A decision they may regret against unprecedented loss of life
the reservists
A group of reservists from all walks of life get called up in an unprecedented move to combat. A majority of them young barely-out-of-high-school recruits are paired with others ranging from seasoned combat vets with multiple combat tours, to college students, medical equipment salesman and EMTs.
the locals
Iraqi Nationals tell first hand accounts of growing up in the region under the terrifying reign of Saddam Hussein all the way through the organized AQI. They relive the painful memories of having relatives killed by Al Qaeda for not adhering to their barbaric practices, including a vicious suicide chlorine bomb aimed at Iraqis, not Americans.
The struggle between Shia and Sunni sects adds a complicated level of civil unrest as Iraqis struggle with welcoming the world’s most elite fighting force, the U.S. Marines, into their sacred lands.
THE ENEMY
After the brutal killings and torture of their own Tribesmen and the stealing of “war brides” in the name of religion, Al Qaeda eventually emerges as the clear and present danger to Americans and Iraqis alike, both civilians, and servicemen and women, young and old.
It wasn’t until “Dark” had the courage to unify his people and lean into the assistance provided by the USMC that a possible way out emerged. It took a redesign of the entire counter-insurgency policy, the arming of Dark’s men, and the cooperation of the locals to stage what eventually became known colloquially as
THE TRIBAL AWAKENING.
CORPS VALUES
Steeped in the tradition of the United States Marine Corps of HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT, Marines of Alpha Company 1/24 relied on their training, trusted their leadership, and followed their storied past from the comfort of their own homes right into the bloodiest battles of Iraq.
Set against the backdrop of the events of 9/11 as motivation, the unit comes together cohesively through a mutual allegiance and respect for the precepts taught by the Corps.
Mistakes are made
Through a series of untimely events, the Marines are thrown into combat, most never having set foot on foreign soil. The unscrupulous enemy has no concept of war crimes, so anything is on the table.
With little to no proper cross-comparison of previous counter-insurgency data, Alpha 1/24 must restructure their entire game plan and embed with the locals to gain their trust, all while taking casualties.
Finding it hard to identify the difference between “good bad guys” and “bad bad guys” the Marines suffer a series of errors that lead to both civilian and Corps casualties.
An unlikely ally
After killing one of his own men, the Marines are forced to face Dark’s enraged tribe in a head-on standoff. One wrong move from either side, could lead to an extreme blood bath to both.
Thinking on his feet, the Corpsman attending the dead man rushes him to the hospital, as Dark calms the local populace. In exchange he implores the very same unit to cover his men, who are currently under fire.
In an unprecedented move of solidarity, the domino effect resulting from those actions, including the decision to arm Dark’s men, leads to a mutually beneficial sharing of information and resources. The alliance between Dark and the USMC, eventually emboldens the Albu Issa tribe to take back Fallujah from Al Qaeda.
power to the people
After suffering the atrocities of war, the Iraqis gain the upper hand in their communities.
American service members suffer the losses of these Wounded and Killed In Action, as well as the aftermath of PTSD, suicides, mental anguish and readjusting to civilian life.
Only through the strength of family, core values and charitable organizations are both the Iraqi Nationals, and the Marines who served, able to restructure some semblance of a normal life, after the ravages of war.
testimonials
combat footage
shot by the Marines who were there.
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outline
The real life events which took place from 2006 through 2007, and how the U.S. Marines of Alpha Co. 1/24 4th Marine Div. were a pivotal role in the Tribal Awakening against Al-Qaeda in Fallujah, Iraq.
11 episodes @ 1 hour each