OIF 06–07

The battalion deployed through Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and into Mosul, relieving 1-17 Infantry (Buffaloes). Charlie Company was detached to 1-14 CAV and deployed separately to Baghdad. The main battalion was responsible for western Mosul, Hammam Al-Alil, and rural areas west of the city. Bronco Troop, 1-14 CAV became task organized to 5/20th Infantry.

Mosul was well-established — internet cafes, a PX, bazaar, gyms. Missions were largely presence patrols, meetings with local mukhtars and Iraqi police, and disruption operations. Relatively quiet compared to what was ahead.

The battalion was ordered south to the Baghdad area. The entire unit convoyed approximately 240 miles through active combat zones from Mosul to Camp Taji, a larger FOB outside Baghdad. This became the jumping-off point for operations in and around the capital.

The battalion conducted operations from Taji into multiple areas — Baghdad proper, Anbar Province, and Sadr City. Missions included QRF, cordon and search, high-value target operations with partner forces (Naval EOD, Special Forces, Blackwater, British, Georgian, and Iraqi forces), and presence patrols. On January 23, 2007, elements of Bravo Company responded to a downed Blackwater helicopter in Baghdad, leading to a sustained firefight known within the unit as a "death blossom."

The battalion was also sent to Anbar Province to locate a downed American jet and pilot remains — a mission that resulted in catastrophic casualties when a mortar platoon Stryker struck a deep-buried IED, catching fire and severely injuring the crew.

On March 10–13, 2007, the battalion moved from Taji to Baqubah to battle Islamic State of Iraq forces in their self-declared capital. The battalion walked into what military historians later described as "at minimum a brigade-sized fight" and held ground for nearly three months before reinforcements arrived.

Baqubah had been labeled "Mini Iraq" or "Mini Baghdad" due to the concentration of enemy forces — elements from at least a half-dozen terrorist and opposition groups operating in an area without sustained U.S. presence.

SSG Christopher B. Waiters earned the Distinguished Service Cross — one of only two awarded to 2d Infantry Division soldiers since 1975 — for extraordinary heroism during combat operations in Baqubah. Full citation on Awards page →

SSG Jesse Williams was shot in the head during combat operations in Baqubah. Williams was on his second deployment with 5/20th Infantry, having been wounded during the first tour on October 14, 2004. He was one of the stop-lossed soldiers forced to deploy again past his original contract obligation.

Six soldiers were killed simultaneously when a single IED detonated near their Stryker during combat operations in Baqubah. This was one of the deadliest single incidents for any Stryker unit in the Iraq War. The dead: SSG Vincenzo Romeo, SGT Jason R. Harkins, SGT Joel W. Lewis, CPL Matthew L. Alexander, CPL Anthony M. Bradshaw, and CPL Michael A. Pursel.

The battalion participated in Operation Arrowhead Ripper (June 18 – August 19, 2007) as part of the broader Operation Phantom Thunder. This was the major clearing operation in Baqubah — rooting out AQI from their self-declared capital. The operation was followed by Operations Lightning Hammer I and II (August – September 2007) to consolidate gains.

Dr. Bill Reeder of the I Corps Battle Command Training Center later assessed: "Baqubah was arguably the most significant campaign of the war in Iraq after the initial invasion was completed." A 90-minute documentary was produced to preserve lessons learned.

The battalion completed its 15-month deployment and returned to Fort Lewis. LTC Bruce P. Antonia relinquished command to LTC Mitchell L. Rambin on November 7, 2007.