Bradley Engaging in Combat Operations in Iraq
During the Gulf War, M2 Bradleys destroyed more Iraqi armored vehicles than the M1 Abrams.[19] A total of 20 Bradleys were lost—three by enemy fire and 17 due to friendly fire incidents; another 12 were damaged. The gunner of one Bradley was killed when his vehicle was hit by Iraqi fire, possibly from an Iraqi BMP-1, during the Battle of 73 Easting.[20] To remedy some problems that were identified as contributing factors in the friendly fire incidents, infrared identification panels and other marking/identification measures were added to the Bradleys. In the Iraq War, the Bradley proved vulnerable to improvised explosive device (IED) and rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attacks, but casualties were light with the crew able to escape. In 2006, total losses included 55 Bradleys destroyed and some 700 others damaged.[21][22] By 2007, the Army had stopped using the M2 Bradley in combat, instead favoring more survivable MRAPs.[6] By the end of the war, about 150 Bradleys had been destroyed.[23]