The M109 is an American self-propelled 155mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. Continually upgraded and improved, to today's current version the M109A6 "Paladin", it is still the primary indirect-fire support weapon of maneuver brigades of armored and mechanized infantry divisions of the US Army, Israel Defense Forces, the Italian Army, and many other militaries, including the Norwegian, Swiss, Danish, Pakistani, Dutch and Austrian armies.

A number of European armies are currently replacing the M109 with the PzH2000 which significantly outperforms it in most aspects. Significant upgrades have been introduced by the US (PALADIN) and Switzerland (KAWEST). With the cancellation of the CRUSADER-Project in the US, the Paladin will remain the principal self-propelled howitzer for years to come.

The crew of the M109 consists of a section chief, driver, gunner, three cannoneers who load and fire the weapon and two gunners who handle the ammunition. The M109A6 Paladin needs only one cannoneer and two ammunition handlers for a total crew of six.

This particular 1:32 scale replica of a US M109 self-propelled howitzer was used during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 10-inches
Width: 3-1/2-inches
Height: 3-inches

Release Date: May 2006

Historical Account: "OIF" - The 2003 operation in Iraq, termed "Operation Iraqi Freedom" (OIF) by the US administration, began on March 20th. It was originally coined "Operation Iraqi Liberation". The United States and the United Kingdom supplied 98% of the invading forces. They co-operated with Kurdish forces in the north which numbered upwards of 50,000. Other nations also participated in part of a coalition force to help with the operation by providing equipment, services and security as well as Special Forces. The 2003 Iraq invasion marked the beginning of what is commonly referred to as the Iraq War.

Prior to the invasion, the United States' official position was that Iraq illegally possessed weapons of mass destruction in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and had to be disarmed by force. President George W. Bush stated Saddam's weapons of mass destruction needed to be disarmed, and the Iraqi people were to have control of their own country restored to them.

UN inspection teams were searching Iraq for these alleged weapons for nearly four months prior to the invasion and were willing to continue, but were forced out by the onset of war in spite of their requests for more time.

The Bush administration did not attempt to get a U.N. Security Council resolution authorising military force, as France, Russia, and later China all signalled that they would use their Security Council veto power against any resolution that would include an ultimatum allowing the use of force against Iraq. On March 20th, 2003, the invasion of Iraq began. This was seen by many as a violation of international law, breaking the UN Charter (see Legitimacy of the 2003 invasion of Iraq). The Iraqi military was defeated, and Baghdad fell on April 9th, 2003. On May 1st, 2003, President Bush declared the end of major combat operations, terminating the Baath Party's rule and removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from office. Coalition forces ultimately captured Saddam Hussein on December 13th, 2003.

Numerous guerrilla and terrorist groups are active in the area, including one newly-formed called al-Qaeda in Iraq. Legislative elections were held in January 2005.