7th Cavalry Regiment (United States) - Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom

The 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry was the spearhead and the screening force for the main elements of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division during the Iraq War. The 3d Squadron launched its attack under the command of LTC Terry Ferrell on March 22, 2003.

The 3rd Squadron was the "Eyes and Ears" for the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and the "Iron Fist" for the U.S. XVIII Airborne Corps. The Squadron was engaged with the enemy earlier and more often in the war than any other unit.

The 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry served in the 1st Cavalry Division's 5th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) during its first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II from April 1, 2004 to April 1, 2005. The 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry, commanded by LTC William R. Salter, distinguished itself by extraordinary valor and gallantry while executing combat operations in the Al Rashid District of Baghdad, Iraq. The Squadron defeated a surge of enemy attacks and neutralized insurgent and terrorist elements within its Area of Operations (AO) through a combination of constant day to day interaction with the populace, adaptable tactics and the tenacious fighting spirit of its troopers. In addition to securing an AO of 68 km2 with a population of more than 1.2 million, the Squadron also secured ROUTE IRISH, a strategic highway and Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I) Main Supply Route connecting the International Zone (IZ) to the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). The Squadron was also instrumental in providing a secure environment during the first Iraqi democratic election in January 2005. 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for its actions during this campaign. Most recently 1-7 CAV, commanded by LTC Kevin S. MacWatters, deployed as the Armed Reconnaissance Squadron for 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 (October 6, 2006 to January 15, 2008). The Squadron conducted full-spectrum operations as a part of Multi-National Division-Baghdad (MND-B)in the Taji Area of Operations. During this deployment the Squadron was instrumental in the destruction of multiple improvised explosive device (IED)and Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) terrorist cells as a part of the "Surge", greatly enhancing MND-B's ability to secure Baghdad. The secure environment created by the Squadron in the Taji area enabled local government to take hold, local police and Iraqi Army forces to take over security operations, and the "Reconciliation" to successfully spread throughout the Area of Operations.

The 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry was attached to the 39th BCT although assigned to 3d BCT, 1st CAV. The unit deployed to Iraq under the command of LTC Charles Forshee. 7 weeks after arrival in Iraq. LTC James Eugene Rainey became the new commander of the battalion upon the relief for cause of LTC Forshee. In August 2004, the 2nd Battalion was hand selected to support US Marine Corps operations during the battle of Najaf (2004) . The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) Commander, Colonel Tony Haslam, attributed their success in the city to the brave Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion. In November, the Marines again requested the presence of the Garryowen Ghosts for the Battle of Fallujah. The "Ghost Battalion" was the main combat power for the onslaught into the insurgent ran city.

The 2nd Battalion moved from 3rd BCT, 1st Cav Div, Ft Hood Texas, to Ft Bliss to become part of the newly formed 4th BCT and in October 2006 The 2nd Battalion again headed for Iraq this time to Mosul. Within the first several months the Battalion took the first casualties of the 4th BCT. Since October 2006 C Co. 2-7 Cav. has endured 6 KIA and numerous wounded.

2nd Battalion redeployed in December 2007 to Fort Bliss, TX. In 2008, it deployed from Fort Hood, TX to Iraq in support of OIF 08-10. Maintaining control of the northern half of the Maysan province of Iraq, it operated out of FOB Garryowen. FOB Garryowen, located in Amarah, Iraq's border city with Iran, was established in June 2008 for the battalion by a team of 23 Air Force Enlisted Engineers. B/2-7 CAV worked with the Iraqi Police in Majar al Kabir to capture the criminals responsible for murdering 6 British Military Police in November 2004. Among its other accomplishments, 2-7 CAV worked with the Iraqi Security Forces to provide successful security to Iraq's provincial elections in January 2009 and is responsible for several large volume cache finds. During its tour, the 10th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation "Lion's Roar," a combined live-fire exercise in Maysan province in April 2009 - the first of its kind in the Iraqi Army. The exercise integrated U.S. enablers and demonstrated the capability and lethality of the Iraqi Army. 2nd Battalion is currently deploying to Mosul, Iraq.

The 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry as part of the Army's modularity program, the 3rd Infantry Division converted the 1-3 Air Defense Artillery battalion to become 5th Squadron, 7 Cavalry Regiment, an Armored Reconnaissance Squadron. The 5th Squadron deployed in 2005 and most recently in January 2007. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Wheeler, the Warpaint Squadron initially operated to the north of Ramadi, and remained under the operational control of the 1st Brigade Combat Team. In April 2007, the Squadron conducted a full-scale movement to contact, clearing from Ramadi, to the south of Lake Habbaniyah, and then east to Route Iron in Fallujah, while attaching to the Marine Corps' 6th Regimental Combat Team and basing at Camp Baharia. Due to the firepower and mobility inherent within a Cavalry Squadron, 5-7 CAV was assigned the largest battlespace within RCT 6's Area of Operations. The Squadron also suffered from the limitations in assigned Troopers that also comes with the Cavalry. For 8 months, the Squadron conducted security and COIN operations across the Warpaint AO. The Squadron established and maintained freedom of movement along Routes Michigan, Iron, San Juan and Gold, and maintained a safe and secure environment in the towns of Saqliwiyah, North Saqliwiyah, Amariyah, and Farris. Additional operations at both the Troop and Squadron level cleared and held new terrain within the Regimental Security Zone. In December 2007, the Squadron was attached to the operational control of the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team at FOB Kalsu. The Squadron conducted relief-in-place with two USMC rifle battalions and redeployed to Kalsu in approximately 8 days. An additional week of training and preparations were required before they attacked into Arab Jabour and cleared the town of Sayafiyah (30,000 residents) in conjunction with the Iraqi "Sons of Iraq" program. The Squadron occupied an area that had seen no long-term coalition forces presence, and conducted operations in a most austere fashion. The Squadron secured all routes with fixed positions while simultaneously building COP Meade, clearing all routes, terrain and structures within the new Warpaint AO. The Squadron completed the mission in March 2008, and conducted a relief-in-place with 1-187 IN, the Rakkasans, before redeploying to Fort Stewart in April, 2008. During OIF V, the Squadron suffered 6 KIA and numerous wounded. During 20 months of subsequent dwell time, the Squadron participated, as part of the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive Consequence Management Reaction Force (CCMRF) mission in support of the requirements of Defense Support to Civil Authority. This mission requires the unit, at the request of local, state or national civil authorities, to deploy within the United States in response to a catastrophic event. The Squadron is currently in final preparations for a third deployment to Iraq in December 2009.