52nd Infantry Regiment (United States) - Iraq (OIF 06-08)

Iraq (OIF 06-08)

During an extended 15 month Iraq War deployment (Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08) from July 2006 – September 2008, the Avalanche Company operated under the command of over eight different higher headquarters. Its operations spanned much of northern and central Iraq. In July and August 2006, C-52d manned a combat outpost in Rabiyah, Iraq in support of 200 personnel for over 30 days, overseeing various military transition teams and all life support operations. In the months of September and October, C-52d operated under Task Force Red Lion in Q-West, conducting assessments of essential services and other security and support operations. Additionally, C-52d conducted clearance operations of Route Tampa resulting in a 75% reduction of IEDs. During late October and November, C-52d operated under 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment in Mosul, Iraq. The Avalanche Company supported clearing operations and performed assessments of essential services that were valuable to restoring stability.

December marked the Avalanche Company’s move to Baghdad as they operated under Task Force Tomahawk. The soldiers of C-52d provided security and conducted several raids during major clearing operations in support of Multi-National Division Baghdad. In late December 2006, C-52d would move to Taji, Iraq, where they would remain through May 2007 in support of 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. In the company’s most notable event, Third Platoon of C-52d responded to a complex attack on a joint security station in Tarmiya, Iraq, enabling the successful evacuation of 21 wounded American soldiers and security of the site. Several members of Third Platoon were awarded Bronze Star Medals for their actions on 19 February 2007. Third Platoon's platoon leader, SFC Ismael Iban, was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action.

In Sheik Hamed Village, the company conducted bilateral clearing operations with the Iraqi Army, executed several missions against time-sensitive targets, and trained basic soldier skills to an Iraqi Army Battalion, enhancing their ability to secure their area of operations. C-52d also secured key infrastructure, specifically the Khark Water Treatment Plant, which supplies 75% of Iraq’s drinkable water.

In the brigade’s culminating mission to expel al Qaeda from Baqubah, their self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State of Iraq, C-52d conducted a 50 km attack from the march into battle during Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The Company's soldiers screened over 2,500 displaced Iraqis attempting to flee Baqubah, resulting in the capture of over 30 armed insurgents. Additionally, C-52d conducted an air assault operation that resulted in the discovery and capture of numerous enemy caches including anti-aircraft artillery, indirect fire weapons, IED making materials and various small arms. It was thought that this operation might severely hamper the enemy’s ability to use indirect fire to inflict casualties and instill terror upon the civilian population.

Led by CPT Erich B. Schneider for the entire deployment, the company redeployed to Fort Lewis in September 2007 with no loss of life.

• C-52 IN on Gray Army Airfield, Fort Lewis, WA after the BDE's deployment ceremony. June 2006.

• C-52 IN soldiers in Baghdad's Green Zone. 13 December 2006.

• Avalanche Soldiers outside of Baghdad, Iraq. 26 December 2006.

• 2/C-52d IN stops at a shoe market on patrol in Iraq, 2007.

• 3PLT hands out candy on a patrol in Iraq, 14 February 2007.

• 2/C-52d IN takes a break while searching warehouses near Baqubah, Iraq. 23 June 2007.

• C-52d IN during Operation Cold Thunder, a team building exercise that focused on the history of the company, just west of Mt. Rainier National Park.