By Spc. Jason Dangel, 4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div. of operations with their ISF counterparts. The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Cobra combat support and combat service support units, "Cobras," deployed in late November 2005 in support of the 4th Special Troops and 704th Support Operation Iraqi Freedom and officially assumed responsibil- Battalion were responsible for command and control for all ity of battle space in central and southern from the the units of Task Force Cobra, while simultaneously provid- 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Jan. 14, ing logistical support for the brigade's Soldiers. 2006. The 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor was attached to the 4th After a successful transition with the 3rd Inf. Div.'s Brigade Combat Team, and operat- "Vanguard" Brigade, the Cobra Brigade was ready for its ed from FOB Rustamiyah, located in the northern portion of first mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. the Iraqi capital. As the Ivy Division's newest brigade combat team, the The Cobra Brigade oversaw the security of many key events Cobra Brigade, comprised of approximately 5,000 combat- to include the first session of the Iraqi Council of ready Soldiers, was deployed to Forward Operating Base Representatives. Prosperity in Baghdad's International Zone and operated in The Iraqi Council of Representatives, the parliament some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Baghdad, to elected under the nation's new constitution, convened at the include Al-Doura, Al-Amerriyah, Abu T'schir, Al-Ademiyah Parliament Center in central Baghdad where 275 representa- and Gazaliyah. tives were sworn into 's newly elected four-year govern- Led by Col. Michael F. Beech and Command Sgt. Maj. ment March 16, 2006. John E. Moody, Jr., the Cobra Brigade, working closely with This official swearing-in of the new Iraqi COR was a mile- Iraqi Security Forces, was responsible for providing securi- stone not only for Iraq, but also for the region as the parlia- ty for more than 3.5 million Iraqi citizens while simultane- ment was the first such democratically elected body in the ously improving the city's infrastructure. Middle East. The Cobra Brigade brought six of its own to the During the Cobra Brigade's year-long tenure in the Iraqi fight, and employed a host of units as well to include the 2nd Capitol, Iraqi citizens also witnessed the 5th Brigade, 6th Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division; the 2nd Iraqi Division assume responsibility of security in central Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division; and Baghdad. later the 1st Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 14th Cavalry. The battle space changeover marked the unrelenting The brigade's subordinate combat battalions: the 8th progress in the Iraqi Security Forces' capabilities in the city Squadron, 10th Calvary; 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry; and as they continued to fight to secure the country for the Iraqi 2nd Battalion, 77th Field ; were located throughout people. the brigade's battle space as they completed a full spectrum The 6th Iraqi Division became responsible for all the bat- tle space in Baghdad. The 5th Brigade's area of operations other terrorist attacks. covered approximately 73 square kilometers of the city. Operations Stallion Run, The Doura Clean-Up and numer- More than 70-percent of Baghdad was under the control of ous civic projects, helped rid the streets of garbage and the ISF when the Cobra Brigade redeployed to , showed the Iraqi citizens that their new government is work- in November 2006, a remarkable achievement for a ing for the future. unit still considered "new" in the U.S. Army. The 4th BCT began deploying personnel to Camp Working 24 hours-a-day and seven days-a-week, Cobra Buehring, , as its advance party left Fort Hood, Texas Soldiers and the ISF completed multiple large-scale opera- Nov. 29, 2005, marking the unit's first deployment in sup- tions to root out terrorists operating in the city limits. port of Operation Iraqi Freedom since activating on Dec. 16, Operations United Fist and Together Forward, among oth- 2004. ers, both resulted in capturing or killing terrorists, finding Upon redeployment to Fort Hood, the brigade will transi- roadside bombs, and developing intelligence used to prevent tion over into the 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division. By 1st Lt. W. Kyle Simon, 1st Bn., 12th licized efforts related to Iraq's national and Karadah through the deployment's Inf. government. The battalion also devot- duration. The 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th ed resources to developing local gov- These efforts led to many humanitar- Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry ernment institutions close to the people ian assistance missions at area schools, Division has successfully completed its in order to help serve the constituency hospitals and the most impoverished mission of securing Baghdad's of central Baghdad. neighborhoods of central-Baghdad. International Zone since its arrival in Karkh and Karadah are two Baghdad The Civil Affairs representatives also theater at Forward Operating Base Districts that border the International worked with civil military operations Prosperity. The battalion completed Zone, combined accounting for more to successfully coordinate completion this mission while detaching its than one million Iraqi citizens. of 350 projects, totaling approximately Company A and Company C, and To ensure ISF success in Karadah, the $40 million, to improve local services receiving Company C, 2nd Battalion, battalion worked with the local District and infrastructure projects. 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Advisory Council in a Security The battalion's engineer company Airborne Division. Committee initiative. In less than a conducted another critical mission: With this task organization, the 1st year, this effort has proven a successful route clearance for the 4th Brigade Bn., 12th Inf. prevented and deterred model of local citizens securing their Combat Team's area of operations. the enemy's attempted ground penetra- own neighborhoods. Eskimo Company used specialized tion of the IZ, and supported the estab- Their weekly meetings led to numer- equipment to clear various important lishment and growth of the Iraqi ous operational successes, including supply routes throughout Government, allowing its newly the detention of several high value Baghdad, enabling freedom of move- formed democracy to shape and govern individuals and the discovery of a vehi- ment for the "Cobra" Brigade. its people. cle-borne improvised explosive device As of mid-October, the company has The "Warrior" Battalion's main effort factory. cleared more than 10,900 miles of focused on securing the International To augment the efforts of the ISF in Baghdad roadway and found or deto- Zone and controlling the daily traffic providing security in both Karkh and nated 71 IEDs. The heroic efforts of of nearly 10,000 people and 2,000 Karadah, the battalion's Headquarters the engineer company provided safe vehicles. and Headquarters Company, already main supply routes for Coalition In achieving this mission, the battal- responsible for the battalion staff and Forces and Iraqis alike. ion operated seven checkpoints in a the fielding of escorts for the brigade's These successes have not been joint mission with Iraqi Security Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, without cost. The Warrior Battalion Forces and coalition allies from provided most of the personnel to field has endured the loss of five of its , a nation formerly of the two Military Integration Training Soldiers; 18 wounded over the course Soviet Republic. Teams, and support four others. These of the deployment. Staff Sgt. Lance On March 16, working in conjunction MiTTs are essential in training and Chase; Cpl. Peter Wagler; Staff Sgt. with coalition partners, the Warriors coaching the new frontline defenders Christopher Schornak, Capt. James successfully secured the IZ for the of Iraq. Funkhouser and 1st Lt. James Lyons inauguration and first seating of Iraq's In addition to supporting the ISF in will not be forgotten as 1st Bn., 12th newly democratically elected govern- these areas, the battalion also played a Inf. strives to keep the IZ secure and ment. critical role in continuing to improve uphold the democratic values the Iraqi All 275 members of the Iraqi Council the lives of the Iraqis living in central people deserve. The Warriors will con- of Representative safely entered the IZ Baghdad through numerous Civil tinue doing their part to ensure success without incident for this historic event. Military Operations Projects. as it completes its mission in support of The 1st Bn., 12th Inf.'s efforts went The battalion maintained a strong Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. beyond the significant and highly pub- Civil Affairs campaign in both Karkh

Written by 4th STB Staff Section Baghdad and the International Zone. replaced 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.'s com- The "Griffons," 4th Special Troops A small element of the battalion pro- munications, establishing a brigade Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team is vided convoy security escorts for the network operations center, command comprised of Headquarters and common-user land transport assets, post and JNN Platoon. Outside FOB Headquarters Company, Company A, a which carried the 4th BCT's armored Prosperity, 4th STB pushed Soldiers military intelligence company, and vehicles and shipping containers. and Line of Sight assets to 2nd Company B, a signal company. The Crossing the berm into Iraq, the Battalion, 77th Field Artillery to sup- STB is also administratively responsi- Soldiers stayed highly motivated and port their network and task force from ble for Headquarters and Headquarters vigilant despite the concentration Forward Operating Base Union 3. On Company, 4th BCT. required for more than 200 miles of Forward Operating Base Falcon, 2nd During late November 2005, 4th travel along some of the most attacked Platoon established a communications STB's advanced party deployed to routes. site, providing data, voice and video Camp Buehring, Kuwait to establish a In January 2006, the STB conducted teleconferencing to more than six bat- command and control node at the inter- a relief in place with Basic Troops talion task forces, the brigade com- mediate staging base in order to begin Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, bined operation intelligence center and preparation to receive the main body. 3rd Infantry Division. In less than tens of smaller elements. In early December 2005, the battal- one week, Co. A completed the The platoon also synchronized ion's main body deployed to Camp change-over of operators, equipment, brigade and multiple battalion task Buehring, Kuwait and began an intense and leadership. Even while first inte- force communication packages in training regiment to prepare for the rig- grating into the theater of operations, order to establish and develop a single ors of combat in Iraq. Soldiers received the "Prophets" contributed to the cap- FOB communications network. classes on the current common tasks, ture of their first High Value In March, the 4th Brigade conducted counter-improvised explosive device Individual. Co. A was responsible, Operation Vigilant Guard, securing the measures, weapons systems and equip- directly or indirectly, for all intelli- seating of the Iraqi government, as well ment familiarization, weapons qualifi- gence, to include asset management, as the trial of . Co. B cation, and convoy operations. collection, analysis, targeting, and cur- was responsible for command network Completing its training, the battalion rent operations in the 4th BCT Area of set up, providing voice, data and FM began movement north to Iraq. Most Responsibility. communications during the formation Soldiers boarded U.S. Air Force C-130 Upon arriving at Forward Operating of the new government of Iraq. From Hercules Aircraft and journeyed to Base Prosperity, Co. B quickly the Iraqi Convention Center located in the International Zone, the signal com- The ICE Team conducted essential International Zone, FOB Prosperity's pany linked the communications of service operations in support of the King Cobra Café. Multinational Coalition Forces in order brigade, planning, coordinating and The Nuclear, Biological and to ensure security forces were commu- supervising more than $150 million of Chemical Reconnaissance Platoon nicating during the seating of the Iraqi infrastructure projects to assist the served as the core of the Griffon Parliament. Iraqi people in south and central Commander and Command Sergeant In whole, Company B connected 4th Baghdad. Their mentoring of district Major's Physical Security BCT command and control assets and neighborhood council members Detachments. spread across seven FOBs, numerous empowered local Iraqi leaders, helping The 4th Special Troops Battalion other locations and nearly 400 square them to develop the processes of medical section assisted 1st Battalion, kilometers of some of the most diffi- organizing meetings; identifying areas 12th Infantry in providing medical sup- cult urban terrain. to improve and planning and coordi- port for all Coalition Forces and Local The headquarters company was nating community projects. Nationals stationed on or visiting FOB tasked with executing three of the bat- The FOB Mayor's Cell worked tire- Prosperity. In addition to their work on talion's primary tasks, operating the lessly with civilian contractors to FOB Prosperity participated in training Division Holding Area Annex, man- ensure all facilities and life support at the local Combat Support Hospital ning the Infrastructure Coordination areas were renovated and operational, Trauma Center. Element, and operating the Mayor's ensuring the quality of life for Soldiers The maintenance platoon provided Cell on FOB Prosperity. on FOB Prosperity. outstanding service and support The Military Police Platoon conduct- Other HHC platoons and sections, throughout the deployment. The pla- ed detainee operations without any while not as high profile, were all toon developed a quality control/quali- incidents, and every month, the essential to the smooth operation of the ty assurance program ensuring vehicles Soldiers received accolades from battalion and the brigade. The HHC and equipment remained combat ready. MND-B and Multi-National - STB Support Platoon Field Feeding Strong and True, the 4th STB Iraq Inspector General Teams during Section managed and maintained the Griffons accomplished everything unannounced inspections. largest dining facility in the asked of them and more.

1st Lt. Joshua Prentice unrelenting patrols in sector, affected comradeship, resulting in a fruitful 3rd Battalion, the terrorists' ability to attack Iraqis relationship that resulted in the capture The 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored and coalition forces at the intersection. of numerous weapons caches and ter- Regiment, "Hounds of Hell," served The "Berzerkers," Company B, occu- rorist groups. exceptionally as the principle maneu- pied their new area of operations and Immediately after the arrival, the ver unit in eastern Baghdad from began patrols, assuming responsibility combat engineers of Company E set December 2005 to November 2006. for the largest area in the Hound battle about the tedious yet vital task of route The battalion conducted full-spectrum space. The Berzerkers were responsi- sanitization. This mission, while time- combat operations from its deployment ble for an area with a population in intensive and monotonous, proved in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom excess of 1.5 million inhabitants. vital as it denied the enemy the ability until completion. At various points in the deployment, to emplace deadly IEDs along the bat- Led By Lt. Col. Mark Bertolini and the Berzerkers' responsibility also talion's routes. In fact, largely due to Command Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez the increased to include the Shia slum of the "Easy Riders'" efforts, there were Hounds officially took control on their Sadr City and the land to the north, no catastrophic attacks on the battal- new area of operations from 1st increasing their responsibility to ion's most traveled area during the Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th include more than two million more deployment. Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Iraqis and a large swath of additional The battalion's forward support, Division on January 7, 2006, when countryside. The Berzerkers conducted Company F, 704th Support Battalion, they attached in support of the 506th in excess of 1,800 patrols during their exceeded all expectations and support- Regimental Combat Team, 101st deployment, ranging from engagement ed the battalion with logistics and Airborne Division at Forward with local leaders to countless cordon maintenance support. "Fox" conducted Operating Base Rustamiyah. and knock operations to locate illegal combat logistics patrols across all of The Hounds' impact was not limited weapons and high value terrorists. central Iraq, driving more than 200,000 to Eastern Baghdad, as they committed The Soldiers of Company C, the miles during their deployment in over combat power to the fight against "Comanches," would have a myriad of 245 patrols. The patrols delivered more Musab Al Zarqawi and Al Qaeda in missions during its deployment, each than 100,000 gallons of water and Iraq, assisting multi-national special with its own unique challenges. The 210,000 gallons of fuel, as well as operations forces in the hunt for terror- Comanches were very successful dur- countless amounts of spare parts and ists and foreign fighters during count- ing their tenure, finding countless other materiel. Fox also supported the less raids from Ramadi to Baghdad and improvised explosive devices before engineers of the Easy Riders, moving the surrounding areas. The Hounds they detonated, and ensuring that no more than 1,500 barriers during check- guaranteed security and confidence for Coalition Forces were attacked while point construction. Iraqi citizens through the election of traveling through their checkpoint. The Hounds' also lead the way in the Council of Representative and the The Hounds' Company D patrolled a civil military operations and projects seating of a new multi-ethnic, coalition large area consisting of wealthy and amounting to over 1.5 million dollars government. impoverished neighborhoods. The spent to benefit the local population. In The Hounds area of responsibility "Dark Knights" patrolled from the addition to its projects, the battalion included a total population of four mil- neighborhoods of Al Amin and supervised over 50 million dollars in lion Iraqi citizens in 100 square kilo- Mashtal in the south, to Fedaliyah and Army Corps of meters, more than 15 percent of the Kamaliyah in the north. Engineers projects. entire Iraqi population. The Dark Knights were paired with The battalion would conclude its Company A occupied one of the bat- the 6th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd tour in Iraq with daily mechanized talion's main checkpoint responsibili- National Police Division and set out patrols inside Sadr City; developing ties and continued its twenty-four hour daily combined operations with vigor. intelligence and providing strategic- patrols throughout the deployment. The Soldiers of Company D were level effects felt throughout Iraq in The Soldiers of "Ares" Company at the instrumental in training their counter- political and terrorist circles. checkpoint, as well as the company's parts, and developed an exceptional Written by Capt. Daniel Tower Device threat in the Rough Rider's bat- the Rough Rider area of responsibility 8th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment tle space was a priority mission, as made it necessary to conduct full-scale The 8th Squadron, 10th Cavalry each troop played a vital role in opera- operations in conjunction with Iraqi Regiment Headquarters assembled at tions against Anti-Iraqi Forces. Certain Security Forces in order to detain sus- Forward Operating Base Falcon, patrols were specifically tasked to be pected insurgents and gain valuable assuming control of its new area of counter-IED patrols and locate these information on enemy activity. responsibility in Baghdad and begin- weapons before they were used on Over the course of combat operations ning its mission in support of coalition forces. Numerous patrols in Iraq, the troops of 8th Sqdn., 10th Operation Iraqi Freedom Jan. 12, 2006. encountered roadside bombs in place Cav. Reg., changed battle space more Twenty-four hour operations began along high traffic areas, cordoned off than several times throughout the immediately after the unit arrived at the area, and called for Explosives deployment. FOB Falcon, and once the tactical Ordnance Disposal to control detonate Conducting an array of combat oper- operations center was set up, full-scale the devices. Countless lives were pre- ations to include zone and area recon- operations with digital tracking and served by these patrols discovering the naissance, security and combined surveillance equipment were at the dis- IEDs before they were detonated. patrols and raids of suspected Anti- posal of the Squadron Commander, Lt. From March 12 to June 13, 2006, the Iraqi Forces targets, "Apache" Troop Col. Gian Gentile and Command Sgt. Squadron participated in Operation and "Bandit" Troop assumed responsi- Maj. Rafael Rodriguez. Scales of Justice, a tactical operation to bility for Al Furat, Jihad, Amel, Bayaa, The 8th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., deter and prevent sectarian violence Yarmouk, Shurta, Shueb, Rishalah and "Rough Riders," part of the 4th after the Samarra mosque bombing. Ameriyah areas of Baghdad. Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Cordon and searches, raids and patrols The troops also worked with the local Division, immediately began patrolling were increased to meet the huge wave government to develop a positive inter- and conducting counter-insurgency of sectarian violence that broke out fol- action between ISF and community operations in West Rasheed, located in lowing the bombing. The Soldiers of leadership, while overseeing the com- southwest Baghdad. In addition to the 8th Sqdn., 10th Cav., were instrumen- pletion of essential service projects counter-insurgency operations, the tal in disrupting enemy operations and throughout West Rasheed. squadron was assigned several key preventing the unnecessary murder of In June 2006, as the squadron moved missions in this area. innocent Iraqis. to FOB Liberty, Apache assumed con- Countering the Improvised Explosive Also increased insurgent activity in trol of the neighborhood of Ameriyah. A hot bed of insurgent and sectarian Artillery, 1st Armored Division, con- cal and maintenance support 24 hours- violence, Ameriyah became one of the ducted over 500 combat patrols with a-day and seven days-a-week, while focal points for the 4th Infantry multiple tasks and purposes joining the providing additional combat service Division's operations in Baghdad. The squadron in support of many higher support on combat logistical opera- squadron conducted more than 1000 echelon missions to include Operations tions. patrols and participated in Operation Scales of Justice, Operation Shifting The 8th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Medical Together Forward, providing the main Sands, Together Forward, Stallion Platoon established a squadron aid sta- effort in cordon of the entire neighbor- Run, Vigilant Guard, United Fist, tion and assisted line troops, providing hood, or muhalla. Cobra Guard, and Ferryman. medics for operations, training and The squadron supported the rebuild- As part of the newly acquired battle sick-call. ing of the neighborhood and the re- space, Troop C was tasked with the Not all of the squadron's responsibil- opening of the local businesses. In manning of an observation post south- ities involved security operations as the August 2006, 8th Sqdn., 10th Cav. con- east of Baghdad International Airport. Fire Effects Coordination section had ducted Operation Rough Rider Round- While assigned to occupy the post, oversight on more than 60 squadron, Up, supervising local contractors pick- Crazyhorse Troop performed this mis- brigade, and United States Corps of ing up trash and debris strewn through- sion flawlessly as not even one attempt Engineers projects in various local out the muhalla. This not only helped was ever made to down any aircraft neighborhoods worth over $32 million. clean up the garbage from the streets, within this sector. The troop also con- The projects ranged from building but it also took away convenient places ducted over 35 cordons and knock playgrounds to coordinating sewage to emplace improvised explosive searches to locate dangerous terrorists and trash disposal. devices. and suspected caches. With the assistance of the FEC sec- Bandit Troop conducted over 1100 The Roughriders' Troop D assumed tion, the Neighborhood Councils and combat patrols with multiple tasks and the responsibility of conducting re-fit District Councils in the area improved purposes in support of many higher and re-supply operations every four to their ability to govern the local popu- echelon missions. five days. The logistical patrols deliv- lace dramatically producing a sense of Attached to support the squadron, ered over 100,000 gallons of fuel. pride amongst the locals with respect Battery A, 4th Battalion, 27th Field "Desperado" Troop maintained logisti- to the future of Iraq.

Written by 2nd Bn., 506th RCT Staff Police Division, the Battalion executed market into a thriving center of com- The 2nd Infantry Battalion, 506th Operation Together Forward, a major merce. The battalion also conducted Regimental Combat Team distin- operation to protect the local populace two major area beautification projects guished itself in the conduct of military and reduce sectarian violence by estab- along three major thoroughfares, operations in the Republic of Iraq from lishing 19 key checkpoints around Al removing dozens of truckloads of trash November 14, 2005 through Doura and Abu T'schir and increasing and repairing the fractured roads. November 2006 by exceptionally mer- combat patrols, thereby denying the Through its participation in civic insti- itorious service in support of Operation enemy freedom of movement through- tutions such as the Rasheed Security Iraqi Freedom. out the city. Council, Rasheed District Advisory Assigned to one of the most hostile Shortly thereafter, the Battalion Council, and the Abu T'schir, Al Hadar, areas of Baghdad, the "Renegade" extended its efforts with Operation Jaza`ir, Jazeera, and Massaffee Brigade commanded by Lt. Col. Together Forward during which the Neighborhood Advisory Councils, the Gregory Butts and Command Sgt. Maj. Renegades isolated Al Dora and con- 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Reg. leadership Robert Moss immediately went on the ducted an intensive search of over contributed conspicuously to the devel- offensive by seizing the main enemy 5,100 houses and businesses in four opment and maintenance of a stable supply line into the Iraqi capitol from days. The results of this operation on and viable nation by lending their the southeast. By conducting more the city were far reaching as it created advice and assistance to the Iraqi offi- than 500 mounted and 200 dismounted a secure environment for Iraqis while cials as they propagated the new gov- patrols throughout the Al Boetha, Hor disrupting enemy activity. ernment. The battalion's accomplish- Ajab, Hamza Donum, and Arab Jabour The 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Reg. worked ments in this area are reflected most regions, the Renegades were able to closely with the 6th and 8th Brigades, vividly in the remarkable progress seize hundreds of enemy weapons, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division achieved within the social and cultural munitions caches, and military equip- throughout its tenure in Iraq. The bat- sphere of life among the Iraqi people. ment as well as capture more than 300 talion carried out an intensive and con- insurgents. Currahee also participated clusive joint operations program which The Renegade Battalion consistently in Operation Swordfish, a major Air resulted in a highly proficient, integrat- displayed professional competency and Assault operation deep into enemy ter- ed indigenous force. By conducting the highest degree of dedication during ritory in Arab Jabour resulting in the over 1,500 joint patrols and 75 opera- combat operations and in their adviso- capture of twenty-seven insurgents. tions, the Currahee Soldiers impressed ry efforts to the Iraqis. Through effec- In Al Doura, the urban center of the their technical and tactical knowledge tive teamwork, an aggressive fighting insurgency in Baghdad, the Renegades upon the Iraqi Soldiers, thereby spirit, and the many individual acts of were able to neutralize the enemy enhancing the ability of the Iraqi bravery, the stalwart Soldiers of 2nd through their aggressiveness and per- National Police to successfully secure Bn., 506th Inf. Reg. demonstrated sistence. By conducting over 6,500 southeastern Baghdad and take the lead those qualities of valor and profession- patrols throughout the city, 2nd Bn., in counterinsurgency operations. alism that are in keeping with the finest 506th Inf. Reg., pacified the area where In addition to tenacious combat oper- traditions of military service and there was once a daily high of twenty- ations, the Currahee Soldiers carried reflect distinct credit upon them, the one murders and greatly reduced the out an extensive civic action program 506th Regimental Combat Team, the sectarian violence. characterized by sincere compassion 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Working in conjunction with the 6th for the Iraqi people. In Al Doura, the and the . and 8th Brigades, 2nd Iraqi National Renegades transformed the dilapidated By Capt. Michael W. Cygan, Jr. Baumholder, Germany. Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Bn., 6th Inf., 1st Armored Div. The Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade 6th Infantry. The Soldiers of Task Force 2-6 expe- Combat Team begin training, as a task Upon arrival at Camp Buehring, rienced numerous successes over the force, during gunnery, at the Kuwait, the Soldiers of the Task Force past ten months while deployed in sup- Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, embarked on an aggressive training port of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. and Task Force 2-6 officially came into plan and cycle in preparation for possi- The 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, being in mid-December 2005, when ble deployment and employment in "Gators," started its deployment as the 2nd BCT task organized in mid- Iraq. Commander's developed and exe- Theater Reserve and closed out the December 2005. cuted numerous weapons ranges, challenging year controlling all of the Lt. Col James Danna and Command Counter-Improvised Explosive Device 'West Rasheed' District in southwest Sgt. Maj. Ronald Orosz, combat ele- Situational Training Exercise Lanes, Baghdad-an area more than 110 square ments of the Task Force consisted of and Military Operations on Urban kilometers and one million residents. Batteries A and B, 4th Battalion, 27th Terrain Training. The less glamorous, The Task Force planned and execut- Field Artillery; Company B, 1st but still important maintenance opera- ed a variety of operations and is now Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment; tions in the motorpool continued near- prepared to shift focus to redeploying Company B, 40th Engineer Battalion; ly 24 hours-a-day to keep the task Soldiers and equipment bound for and Company C and Headquarters and force's combat power, M1A1 Abrams and M2A2 Bradley Fighting the routes. Operation Together Forward, the ongo- Vehicles, prepared for combat opera- In early May 2006, Task Force 2-6 ing operation to secure Baghdad. tions. increased its area of operations and Partnering with two Iraqi National During the four months in Kuwait, began conducting framework opera- Police Brigades, conducting joint 2nd Bn., 6th Inf. overcame numerous tions in the Saydiah, Bayaa, and patrols and operations with the challenges and emerged a better Radwaniyah neighborhoods of National Police, the Soldiers of Task trained and ready combat force pre- Baghdad, and less than 30 days later, Force 2-6 made great strides during pared for operations in Iraq. The the 750 Soldiers of the Gator Battalion OTF. Everyday the Soldiers conducted Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 6th Inf., deployed assumed even more responsibility, joint patrols with the Iraqi National to Baghdad and arrived at Forward gaining additional control of the Police in efforts to build the Iraqi Operating Base Falcon within 48 hours Risalah, Shurta, and A'amel districts of Soldiers' proficiency and foster confi- upon receipt of mission. The Soldiers Baghdad. dence and trust with the Baghdad pop- conducted transfer of authority on The Task Force's Operation ulace. March 20, and quickly adapted to their Relentless Hunt made a huge impact During seven months of combat new mission with the 4th Brigade and progress towards reducing sectari- operations in Baghdad the Soldiers of Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. an acts and protecting the Iraqi popu- Task Force 2-6 conducted more than The primary focus during the first 45 lace. During the three-day combined 3,500 patrols, with almost half of those days was to aggressively patrol a main coalition and Iraqi operation in combined with the Iraqi Security supply route ensuring coalition free- Risalah, Soldiers confiscated numer- Forces. The Soldiers of Task Force 2-6 dom of movement along the vital road ous weapons and explosives by con- detained more than 150 individuals, leading into Baghdad. The Task Force ducting house-to-house searches. After many of which were high value targets also conducted Operation Stallion Run, searching the area, concrete barriers responsible for planning and executing clearing 17 kilometers of Baghdad's were emplaced to encircle the cleared sectarian acts of violence and terroriz- main highways, benefiting both coali- area to prevent weapons being moved ing innocent Iraqi civilians. tion forces and the Iraqi populace by back into the area. removing tons of debris scattered along Soon after, the task force conducted Written by Capt. John Fluery, 1st Bn., 14th Cav. Reg. The Warhorse Squadron brought three of its own troops to The 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry the fight; Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Division, "Warhorse," deployed in late June 2006 in support (Horsemen), A Troop (Apocalypse), C Troop (Crazyhorse), of Operation Iraqi Freedom and officially assumed respon- and employed a host of attachments; to include the C sibility of battle space in southern Baghdad from the 2nd Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, attached Battalion, 506th Infantry on August 11, 2006. (Charlie Rock). After a successful transition with the 2nd Battalion, 506th B Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry (Bronco) was Infantry, 101st Airborne Division "Renegades", the attached to 2nd Battalion, , 5th Warhorse Squadron was ready for its first mission in support Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 3rd Squadron, 4 of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Cavalry Regiment all subordinate combat battalions to 3rd As the newest addition to the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. They conducted operations Division, "Cobras", the Warhorse Squadron, comprised of in Tal Afar, the Iraq-Syria border, and Mosul in northern approximately 550 combat-ready Troopers led by Lt. Col. Iraq. D Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry (Dragoon) was Jeffrey Peterson and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Shover, was attached to Brigade Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd deployed to Forward Operating Base Falcon in south-central Infantry Division and conducted operations in Mosul. Baghdad, operating in some of the most notorious neighbor- The Squadron's Troops and Company conducted full spec- hoods in Baghdad, to include Al-Doura, Abu T'schir, and Al trum operations partnered with their Iraqi Security Forces Hadar. counterparts mainly in Abu T'schir and Al Hadar. Apocalypse Troop, attached to 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Reg., nel to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, as its advance party left Fort conducted operations in Al Doura for three months. Lewis, Washington June 22, 2005, marking the unit's second Led by Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Peterson and Command Sgt. deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Maj. Brian C. Shover, the Warhorse Squadron, working As the Warhorse Soldiers arrived at Camp Buehring, the closely with Iraqi Security Forces, was responsible for pro- Troops began to prepare for the Squadron's eventual move- viding security for more than 85 thousand Iraqi citizens, ment to Combat Out Post Rawah in Al Anbar Province. while simultaneously improving the infrastructure in Abu After receiving a change of mission and new task organiza- T'schir and Al Hadar. tion the Squadron prepared to movement to Baghdad and The Warhorse Squadron oversaw the security of many key attachment to 4BCT, 4ID. events and worked with two Neighborhood Advisory Each Warhorse Soldier was required to complete training, Councils and one District Advisory Council. conduct preventive maintenance checks and services and Working 24 hours-a-day and seven days-a-week, Warhorse perform pre-combat inspections before moving into the Soldiers and the ISF completed multiple large-scale opera- combat zone. Some of these requirements included tions to root out terrorists operating in the city limits. As part Improvised Explosive Device awareness training as well as of Operation Together Forward II, the Warhorse Squadron cultural awareness, weapons proficiency and crew-served assisted in capturing or killing terrorists, finding roadside gunnery ranges. bombs, and developing intelligence used to prevent other The Squadron is scheduled to redeploy in the summer of terrorist attacks. 2007 to FT Lewis, Washington. The 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry began deploying person- Written by Capt. J.D. Lauramore support areas, with no damage or error. 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Reg. injury to the personnel that they trans- These missions denied anti-Iraqi In December of 2005 2nd Battalion, ported. Each mission required; from forces the freedom to fire mortars and 77th Field Artillery Regiment deployed the Battalion tactical operations center rockets at coalition forces, and resulted to the Central Command theater of tracking each platoon's movement and in the death of an Al-Qaeda in Iraq operations in support of Operation providing the most up-to-date intelli- insurgent group leader. Iraqi Freedom 05-07. The "Steel gence estimates to the platoon leader During the 12 months, the battalion Warrior" Soldiers of the battalion and platoon sergeant planning their was in Iraq, the Steel Warriors of the trained for more than a year perfecting routes and executing their mission, the 2nd Bn.., 77th Field Artillery provided their field artillery mission as well as personnel of 2nd Bn., 77th FA worked an average of 10 combat patrols each preparing for what would be their pri- non-stop to ensure the safe movement day. They completed more than 3,000 mary mission; security escort for the of their principles. combat escort missions, traveling more United States Embassy Baghdad, The battalion also served as the pri- than 500,000 miles of some of the most Regional Security Office. mary indirect fire counterstrike deliv- dangerous roads in the world. They To accomplish this mission, the bat- ery asset for the 4th Brigade Combat safely escorted more than 50,000 talion transformed themselves from a Team, Multi-National Division- diplomats, contractors, Department of standard two firing battery, field Baghdad. The hot gun platoons stood State personnel and senior military artillery battalion configuration into a ever ready to deliver 155mm artillery officers and Soldiers to their destina- mechanized/light cavalry unit com- rounds in support of the maneuver tions throughout central Iraq. prised of 17 platoons. These platoons commander. The battalion rehearsed These missions directly contributed were entrusted with the task of secur- daily to maintain its proficiency and to the Department of State and ing the movement of Department of conducted more than 50 counter-mor- Coalition Forces ability to assist the State and senior military personnel tar and area denial missions; never fail- Iraqi people in establishing a stable, throughout central Iraq in order to ing to fire due to maintenance or crew secure and democratic Iraq. allow the government of Iraq to build capacity and assist the Iraqi people in establish- ing a stable, secure, and dem- ocratic Iraq. Throughout the deployment, the Soldiers of the 2nd Bn., 77th FA distinguished them- selves through acts of excep- tional bravery, in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force and compassion for the people of the country where they were located. The Battalion safely escort- ed personnel to over 150 dif- ferent Iraqi Ministries, Department of Justice loca- tions, regional and local gov- ernment offices, and logistic

Written by Capt. Stephanie Huereca, Headquarters Company managed and and quick response greatly assisted in 704th Spt. Bn. operated the FOB Falcon Dining the battalion's successful completion of In early December 2005, Headquarters Facility, preparing and serving an aver- 15 recovery missions. and Headquarters Company, 704th age of 6,400 meals daily for more than Company A assumed control of the Support Battalion led a nine-Soldier 4,500 Soldiers and civilians on FOB Supply Support Activity and over $40 advance party to Forward Operating Falcon. The DFAC section also sup- million worth of vehicle supply and Base Falcon, Iraq. ported Soldiers working outside of repair parts. Upon deploying, Soldiers from the FOB Falcon by preparing 1,000 meals The Petroleum and Water Platoon battalion laid the foundation for the daily for delivery to Soldiers embed- maintained 24-hour operations at the battalion's combat service support to ded with Iraqi Security Forces. Fuel System Supply Point as well as the 4th Brigade Combat Team during The Base Operations Section was conducted over 400 nightly Combat Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. Their responsible for the Command and Logistics Patrols to the International efforts ensured the effective relief in Control as well as all operations of the Zone in order to re-supply the brigade's place of the 703rd Forward Support FOB Falcon Mayor's Cell. The section Forward Logistic. The platoon safely Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, and worked closely with Halliburton to and efficiently distributed over eight the seamless inventory and transfer of facilitate 15 contracted life support million gallons of JP-8 and over 50,000 over $15 million worth of equipment services for over 4,500 FOB Falcon gallons of MOGAS during this deploy- prior to the transfer of authority. residents. The section also managed ment. The "Blacksmith" Battalion, led by housing for all FOB Falcon tenants, Co. A's Missile Maintenance Section Lt. Col. Victor Harmon and Command maintaining keys and keeping records was responsible for providing Direct Sgt. Maj. Harry Lockamy, accom- of residents for over 5,000 offices and Support maintenance support to the 4th plished a myriad of missions maintain- living quarters on the base. BCT as well as six different FOBs ing life support activities for the The operations center ensured that throughout the Multi-National Soldiers of the Cobra Brigade. recovery assets and crew were on Division-Baghdad area. The missile stand-by and ready to roll out sections tireless efforts during OIF 05- within one hour of the recov- 07 resulted in the completion of over ery requests. The company's 500 work orders. exceptional coordination effort Bravo Company established Field Maintenance operations and was support for six of the 4th BCT battal- rate of 90 percent. responsible for providing maintenance ions operating in Baghdad. The Working in the battalion Tactical support to the 704th SB, the 4th BCT, Ground Support Equipment Section Operations Center, the Evacuation as well as the non-standard mission of was responsible for maintaining the Team enabled the timely dispatch of supporting 13 additional battalions. Material Handling Equipment for the the air evacuation team to casualties on Bravo Company's Automotive 4th BCT SSA. the battlefield and help the Treatment Maintenance Section was responsible The combat lifesavers for the Platoon anticipate and prepare for for providing field level maintenance Soldiers of the Cobra Brigade, treatment needed by casualties en route and logistical support to 380 wheeled Company C consists of four cohesive to the TMC. and tracked vehicles within the 704th sections: Treatment, Evacuation, The Brigade Medical Supply Office's SB and back-up maintenance support Headquarters and Brigade Medical Medical Supply and Medical to three additional battalions located on Supply Office. The Treatment Platoon Maintenance managed the brigade's FOB Falcon. The section also pushed operated a Level II Troop Medical medical supplies and equipment, Soldiers forward to FOB Prosperity in Facility; which provided Level II ensuring 100% serviceability of all order to provide automotive mainte- Combat Health Support, consisting of medical equipment. nance support to the 704th SB Forward medical, dental, laboratory, radiology, As the central logistics hub for the Logistics Element and Direct Support physical therapy and mental health brigade, the Support Operations maintenance to 10 battalions outside of services to 4,000 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers Section forecasted, coordinated, direct- the 4th BCT located throughout the as well as 500 civilian contractors ed and oversaw daily execution of International Zone in Baghdad. assigned to Falcon. The medical staff logistics actions ensuring support to The many sections of Company B, used their knowledge and skills to over 10,000 brigade FOB tenants and contributed significantly to the success diagnose, treat and evacuate patients to Multi-National Coalition Forces. of the Blacksmith Battalion. The the next echelon of care in a proficient Fulfilling the support capabilities, Communication & Electronics com- and expedient manner. The TMC pro- functions and activities crucial for the pleted more than 2, 500 work orders in vided the best Level II medical support successful completion of combat oper- support of the and the Armament in the brigade while treating 25 trau- ations on the battlefield, the 704th Spt. Section was responsible for providing mas and 4,000 patients with minor Bn. served as the "lifeline" for the 4th small-arms repair and electrical test injuries, resulting in a return to duty BCT. Army Staff Sgt. Lance M. Chase, 32, of Army Sgt. 1st Class Darrell P. Clay, 34, Oklahoma City, Okla.; assigned to the of Fayetteville, N.C.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, 2nd 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 23 Division, Baumholder, Germany; killed of wounds sustained that day when an April 1 when an improvised explosive improvised explosive device detonated device detonated while he was conduct- during patrol operations in Baghdad. ing a dismounted patrol in Baghdad.

Army Pfc. Peter D. Wagler, 18, of Army Sgt. Israel Devora Garcia, 23, of Partridge, Kan. ; assigned to the 1st Clint, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Jan. 23 Baumholder, Germany; killed April 1 of wounds sustained when an impro- when an improvised explosive device vised explosive device detonated during detonated while he was conducting a patrol operations in Baghdad. dismounted patrol in Baghdad. Army Sgt. David L. Herrera, 26, of Oceanside, Calif.; assigned to the 2nd Army Sgt. Jose Gomez, 23, of Corona, Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th N.Y.; assigned to the 8th Squadron, Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne 10th Cavalry, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed Division, Fort Hood, Texas; killed April Jan. 28 when an improvised explosive 28 when an improvised explosive device device detonated during combat opera- detonated near his Humvee during com- tions in Baghdad. bat operations in Baghdad. Army Pfc. Brian J. Schoff, 22, of Army Staff Sgt. Bryant A. Herlem, 37, Manchester, Tenn.; assigned to the 2nd of Killeen, Texas; assigned to the 8th Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Brigade, Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed killed April 28 when an improvised Jan. 28 when an improvised explosive explosive device detonated near his device detonated during combat opera- Humvee during combat operations. tions in Baghdad. Army Spc. Brandon L. Teeters, 21, of Army Sgt. Charles E. Matheny IV, 23 of Lafayette, La.; assigned to the 8th Stanwood, Wash.; assigned to the 704th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Brigade Combat Team, Fort Hood, Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died May 12 in Ludwigshafen, Texas; killed Feb. 18 when an impro- Germany, of injuries sustained April 20 vised explosive device detonated near when an improvised explosive device his Humvee in Baghdad. detonated during combat operations. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Army Spc. Robert E. Blair, 22, of Ocala, Schornak, 28, of Hoover, Ala.; assigned Fla.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Division, Baumholder, Germany; killed 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; May 25 when an improvised explosive killed Feb. 26 when his dismounted device detonated near his Humvee dur- patrol was engaged by enemy forces ing combat operations in Baghdad. using small-arms fire. Army Spc. Antoine J. McKinzie, 25, of Army Capt. Douglas A. Dicenzo, 30, of Indianapolis; assigned to the 4th Plymouth, N.H.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Armored Division, Baumholder, Baumholder, Germany; killed March 21 Germany; killed May 25 when an when his Humvee came under enemy improvised explosive device detonated small-arms fire during combat opera- near his Humvee during combat opera- tions in Baghdad. tions in Baghdad. Army Capt. James A. Funkhouser, 35, Army 1LT James Lyon, 28, of of Katy, Texas; assigned to the 1st Rochester, N.Y.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Brigade Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Hood, Texas; died May 29 of injuries Fort Hood, Texas; killed Sept. 28 when sustained when a vehicle-borne impro- his patrol encountered enemy small vised explosive device detonated near arms fire in Baghdad. his patrol operations in Baghdad.

Army Cpl Ryan J. Buckley, 21, of Army Spc. Windell J. Simmons, 20, of Nokomis, Ill.; assigned to the 2nd Hopkinsville, Ky.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Hood, Texas; died Sept. 23 of injuries June 23 of injuries sustained when an sustained when an improvised explosive improvised explosive device detonated device detonated near his Humvee dur- during combat operations in Baghdad. ing combat operations in Taji, Iraq. Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth I. Pugh, 39, of Houston Texas; assigned to the 3rd Army Pfc. Michael K. Oremus, 21, of Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Highland, N.Y.; assigned to the 57th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Military Police Company, 8th Military Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died July 17 Police Brigade, Seoul, Korea; killed of injuries sustained when his M1A2 Oct. 2 after being shot by enemy forces Abrams encountered enemy forces in Baghdad. small arms fire in Baghdad. Army Spc. Manuel J. Holguin, 21, of Army Sgt. Joseph W. Perry, 23, of Woodlake, Calif.; assigned to the 2nd Alpine, Calif.; assigned to the 21st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Military Police Company, 16th Military Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Police Brigade, XVIIIth Airborne Baumholder, Germany; died July 15 of Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; killed Oct. 2 injuries sustained when his dismounted when his mounted patrol came in con- patrol encountered enemy small arms tact with enemy forces using small arms fire and an improvised explosive device. fire during combat operations.

Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth A. Jenkins, 25, Air Force Airman 1st Class Leebenard of Fouke, Ark.; assigned to the 3rd E. Chavis, 21, of Hampton, Va.; Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th assigned to the 824th Security Forces Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.; Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Aug. killed Oct. 14 while performing duties 12 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained as a turret gunner with the when he came in contact with enemy in the vicinity of Baghdad. forces using small arms fire. Army Sgt. Jeremy E. King, 23, of Army SSG Kevin Witte, 27, of Meridian, Idaho; assigned to the 8th Beardsley, Minn.; assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment; killed Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Oct. 20 when an improvised explosive Hood, Texas; died Aug. 24 of injuries device detonated near his combat recon- sustained by enemy forces using small naissance patrol. arms fire during combat operations in Baghdad. Army Maj. David G. Taylor, 37, of Army Spc. Joshua D. Jones, 24, of North Carolina; assigned to the 2nd Pomeroy, Ohio; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Baumholder, Germany; died Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Aug. Oct. 22 from injuries sustained when an 27 of injuries sustained when his improvised explosive device detonated Humvee came in contact with enemy near his vehicle in Baghdad. forces using small arms fire. Printed circulation: 1,350 Commander: Col. Michael F. Beech Command Sergeant Major: Command Sgt. Maj. John E. Moody, Jr. Public Affairs Officer: Maj. Mark Cheadle Editor: Staff Sgt. Brent M. Williams Staff Writer: Spc. Jason W. Dangel Significant contributors: Capt. Andrew D. Byrd; 1st Lt. Joshua Prentice; the Staff of the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor; Capt. J.D. Lauramore; Capt. Daniel Tower; Capt. Michael Cygan, Jr.; Capt. John Fleury; 1st Lt. W. Kyle Simon; Capt. Stephanie Huereca; the Staff of the 4th Special Troops Battalion; Capt. Michael McGuire; and the Staff of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. The Cobra Public Affairs Team would like to extend a special thanks to the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers deployed with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. Your unrelenting commitment to excellence and determination to see the mission through have helped to make the Cobra Strike! a reality. It would not have been possible without your support. In accordance with AR 360-1, this insert is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of this newsletter are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, III Corps or the 4th Infantry Division. The Cobra Strike is published monthly by the 4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Team, 4th Infantry Division, and is repro- duced via a contracted private publication company. Questions or comments can be directed to the editor located at Forward Operating Base Prosperity, in Baghdad, Iraq or via email at: [email protected]. All editorial content of this newsletter is prepared, edited, provided, and approved by the 4th BCT Public Affairs Team. This insert is printed by the The Global Center for Printing House-Baghdad, Iraq; a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army.