4th Battalion 42nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States) - Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom

The battalion deployed to Iraq in late April 2003. Combat operations were conducted initially in the area of Taji Airfield, just outside of Baghdad. The battalion moved north to the Tikrit area, leaving Battery B at Taji in support of Task Force Gunner until approximately October 2004. The battalion (less B Btry until fall) was stationed at FOB Arrow near the village of Ad-Dawr, slightly to the southeast of Tikrit along the Tigris River. During their time at FOB Arrow, the battalion functioned in their traditional role of providing fire support to the 1st Brigade and other units in the area, and also conducted infantry operations in their sector. Some of these operations included combat patrols, raids, and general patrolling and stability operations in and around Ad-Dawr. The battalion also participated in Operation Red Dawn in December 2003, and had unit members on the objective during the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. 4–42 continued to conduct combat operations until their redeployment in March 2004. During this first deployment to Iraq, the battalion was responsible for capturing several former regime members that were wanted by the coalition, capturing scores of weapons and explosives, and engaging in direct combat with insurgents and terrorists in their area. The battalion also helped to rebuild schools and provide security to the local population and insured safe and secure access to public services such as power and water, and also provided security for food distribution and fuel/petroleum sales.

The battalion was deployed again in December 2005 to Camp Taji, 14 kilometers north of Baghdad. The Straight Arrow battalion was given the task of providing security for Camp Taji and maintaining a presence on Highway 1. They returned to Fort Hood in December 2006.

The 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery, Straight Arrows, once again deployed to Iraq for its third tour in March 2008 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09. This tour saw the battalion separated from its parent brigade and attached to 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Headquartered inside the International Zone of Baghdad, the Straight Arrows were charged with the task of supporting the Iraqi Army and monitoring the Karkh and Mansour districts of Baghdad. During this deployment the battalion supported two joint-security stations and conducted more than 3,500 total patrols in the district. The Straight Arrows then redeployed in March 2009 to Fort Hood, Texas for the last time.