Iraq War Timeline By bkelso Oct 2, 2002 Congress authorizes war on Iraq. Mar 19, 2003 Combat begins. Attacks against Saddam’s regime. Apr 3, 2003 Saddam’s Iraq airport is taken over with little resistance. Apr 9, 2003 Saddams statue is knocked down. Jul 22, 2003 Saddam's son is killed. Dec 14, 2003 Saddam is captured by U.S. troops. Nov 10, 2004 4 US contractor killed in Fallujah. Marines launch successful, but lost 95 troops in the process. Nov 19, 2005 Marines attack Haditha killing 24 civilians in their homes Jan 29, 2006 Bob Woodruff, an ABC news reporter, and his cameraman are injured in a roadside bombing. Dec 1, 2011 Final troops are pulled out of Iraq