B/1-506 IN Mission Summary

The Soldiers of Baker Company, 1-506th Infantry, departed Camp Greaves which is located on the southern side of the Korean Demilitarized Zone on 4 August 2004. Their final destination was a Camp similar to Camp Greaves except for the fact that it was situated between the volatile cities of Fallujah and Ramadi Their new home was referred to as Camp Habbaniyah and was named after the old British Royal Air Force base previously located here. Task Force 1-506th's primary mission was to kill or capture insurgents, some of whom were responsible for planning high level anti-coalition operations. Baker Company operated within that framework by executing three supporting tasks: Forward Operating Base (FOB) Security, Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) Security, and a dangerous route clearance mission termed Operation "Mad Max." The Infantry Companies rotated through each of the aforementioned tasks in four month blocks. For the last 4 months of its deployment, Baker Company was the mission company and solely engaged the enemy during Operation Mad Max and numerous targeted raids and cordon and knock missions.

The most hazardous mission in which soldiers of Baker Company participated was Operation Mad Max. The purpose of Mad Max was to clear Route 10, also known as MSR Michigan, of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and insurgent activity in order to allow freedom of maneuver along the route for elements of the Brigade Combat Team and units from sister services operating in the area. Operation Mad Max inflicted 4 fatalities and numerous injuries on Baker Company. The names of our fallen heroes are: SSG Marvin Trost, SSG Thor Ingraham, SPC Edwin W. Roodhouse, and PFC Nicholas E. Messmer. In addition to these brothers in arms, the following soldiers were wounded in action: SSG Benjamin J. Goodson, SSG Mike L. Paulson, SGT Mark J. Bosworth, SGT Jason R. Gailey, SGT Rey J. Saenz, SGT Michael Frischknect, SPC Jamie Centeno Jr., SPC Aaron R. Dubose, PFC Michael J. Lewis, PFC Evan R. McDonald, PFC Harold L. Peckenpaugh, and PFC Hector R. Guzman. These Soldiers, along with all of the soldiers of Baker Company, courageously manned their up-armored HMMWVs and patrolled Route 10 for 6 to 12-hour shifts daily knowing that one, well-placed IED could possibly take their lives. The families of the fallen deserve our gratitude as do all of the soldiers who executed this operation.

The darkness of night provided a significant amount of concealment and enabled us to operate freely in several known hostile areas. Our Soldiers donned their night vision goggles and convoyed down the treacherous roads of Iraq enroute to the houses of unsuspecting terrorists. Quite often, Baker Company's Soldiers detained individuals high on the Battalion's target list who were responsible for planting some of our fatal IEDs and also found large weapon caches. Our Soldiers were responsible for significantly decreasing the level of terrorist activity in our area and made Iraq safer for the Iraqi people.

When the fighting ceased and tactical operations slowed, the Soldiers of Baker Company were able to show their humanitarian side when interacting with the Iraqi people. They provided food for the displaced people of Fallujah, gave candy and soccer balls to the local children, and even found a way to play "Simon Says" with a curious group of Iraqi boys and girls. There were also times when the Iraqi Army Soldiers challenged us to a game of soccer on Camp which allowed us to compare our physical prowess to theirs. Surprisingly, the Iraqis were quite talented.

We can finally see redeployment to Fort Carson on the horizon, an event that all of us are looking forward to. We reflect on our accomplishments here in Iraq and hope that we made a difference, even if it's one that will only become apparent in the long run. The Soldiers who relieve us will continue the good job we've done. Regardless of the situation that continues here, we will finally be able to return home to be with our families. And to all of our loved ones, thank you for your undying support. "Stands Alone!"