10 Greatest Military Operation Names in History

Military history is full of daring missions, strategic brilliance, and fierce combat, but sometimes, the names of these operations are just as powerful and memorable as the missions themselves. From World War II to modern conflicts, military leaders have assigned names that strike fear, inspire pride, or simply sound like something straight out of a Hollywood script.

Here’s a look at the 10 greatest military operation names in history

1. Operation Overlord (1944) – The Turning Point of World War II

• Keyword: Operation Overlord, D-Day, Normandy Invasion
• Perhaps the most iconic military operation ever, Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on D-Day (June 6, 1944). The mission led to the liberation of Western Europe from Hitler’s control. With over 156,000 Allied troops landing on the beaches of Normandy, it was a decisive moment in World War II.
• The name “Overlord” itself feels dominant and authoritative — a perfect fit for the campaign that turned the tide of the war.

2. Operation Rolling Thunder (1965–1968) – Air Power Unleashed in Vietnam

• Keyword: Operation Rolling Thunder, Vietnam War, US Air Force bombing
• This powerful codename was given to the bombing campaign over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. While the operation failed to break the enemy’s will, the name “Rolling Thunder” evoked the immense destructive force of aerial bombardment, symbolizing both power and persistence.
• It was so iconic that it inspired movies and even the name of Quentin Tarantino’s production company.

3. Operation Red Dawn (2003) – The Capture of Saddam Hussein

• Keyword: Operation Red Dawn, Saddam Hussein capture, Iraq War
• Named after the 1984 cult classic film, Operation Red Dawn was the U.S. military mission to capture Saddam Hussein following the invasion of Iraq. On December 13, 2003, American forces found the former Iraqi dictator hiding in a “spider hole.”
• The pop-culture-inspired name adds a cinematic flair to one of the most significant operations in post-9/11 military history.

4. Operation Vittles (1948–1949) – Berlin Airlift with a Twist

• Keyword: Operation Vittles, Berlin Airlift, Cold War
• When the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin in 1948, the Allies responded with a massive airlift to deliver food and supplies. Instead of a generic codename like “Operation Food Drop,” the mission was dubbed “Operation Vittles” — a playful yet impactful name that brought humanity to the Cold War crisis.
• This operation kept Berlin alive for nearly a year and became a symbol of Western resolve.

5. Operation Urgent Fury (1983) – Grenada Invasion with Action-Film Vibes

• Keyword: Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada invasion, Reagan doctrine
• Launched by the United States to oust a Marxist regime in Grenada, Operation Urgent Fury sounds like the title of a blockbuster action movie. It was a short but controversial mission — and the name gave it a lasting pop culture punch.
• Its high-octane title still evokes images of elite commandos storming beaches under enemy fire.

6. Operation Desert Storm (1991) – Modern Warfare’s Defining Moment

• Keywords: Operation Desert Storm, Gulf War, Iraq-Kuwait conflict
• A defining moment in modern U.S. military history, Operation Desert Storm was the codename for the combat phase of the 1991 Gulf War. With a lightning-fast ground offensive and air superiority, U.S.-led coalition forces pushed Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.
• The name perfectly described the chaos and force of desert warfare, making it a household term around the world.

7. Operation Wrath of God (1972–1988) – Mossad’s Covert Retaliation

• Keyword: Operation Wrath of God, Munich massacre, Israeli Mossad
• Following the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, where Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes, Israel launched Operation Wrath of God — a long-term covert mission to eliminate those responsible.
• The name is as intense as it gets, embodying both justice and vengeance with Biblical force. It’s one of the most notorious counter-terrorism operations in history.

8. Operation Barbarossa (1941) – Hitler’s Fatal Gamble

• Keyword: Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany invasion, Soviet Union
• In June 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, a surprise invasion of the Soviet Union. Named after Frederick Barbarossa, a legendary German king and crusader, the operation marked Hitler’s ambition to dominate the East.
• Despite its grandeur, the mission turned into a disaster — ultimately contributing to the downfall of the Third Reich.

9. Operation Magic Carpet (1949–1950) – Airlift of Yemeni Jews to Israel

• Keyword: Operation Magic Carpet, Yemenite Jews, Israel Aliyah
• This humanitarian airlift operation brought nearly 50,000 Yemeni Jews to Israel in a daring post-independence rescue effort. The poetic name “Magic Carpet” perfectly captured the awe-inspiring nature of the mission — flying refugees across deserts to safety.
• It remains one of the most dramatic and meaningful mass migrations in modern Jewish history.

10. Operation Dynamo (1940) – The Miracle of Dunkirk

• Keyword: Operation Dynamo, Dunkirk evacuation, British Army
• One of the most famous evacuations in military history, Operation Dynamo saved over 338,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940. Despite being cornered by German forces, the British pulled off a miraculous rescue.
• Immortalized in films like Dunkirk and Darkest Hour, the name “Dynamo” may have been hastily chosen — but it now stands as a symbol of courage and survival against all odds.