B/5-5 ADA Mission Summary

Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (BS) began 2004 as part of the 2nd Infantry Division's forward-deployed Air Defense Artillery Battalion along Korea's DMZ (de-militarized zone) while stationed at Camp Hovey, South Korea. Then, in late May, the unit was alerted for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From that moment on, B/5-5 was trained and treated as a mechanized infantry company. A few weeks later, the "Bushwhacker" battery moved to the Korean Training Center (KTC) for field training that would continue for over 35 days in preparation for its deployment. B/5-5 took part in numerous training exercises including mounted and dismounted urban warfare, convoy operations, route security and clearance, IED (Improvised Explosive Device) identification and reaction, small arms ranges, cordon and search/ raid operations, and combat lifesaving. Their training also included intensive simulated movement to contact scenarios, detainee searches and security, reflexive fire scenarios, advanced marksmanship, traffic control point operations, CASEVAC (casualty evacuation) training, and riot control. In just four short weeks, the unit was completely transformed from a Bradley-Stinger Air Defense Artillery Battery to a Mechanized Infantry Company with a third motorized scout platoon. Then, on August 7th, 2004, the Bushwhackers departed South Korea in this historic deployment for the sands of Camp Udairi, Kuwait. Upon their arrival, they further prepared by attending many weapons qualification ranges, doing last-minute vehicle maintenance and modifications, and receiving both mission-essential classes and equipment.

After approximately three weeks of acclimatization in Kuwait, the Battery began its movement to Camp Ramadi, Iraq, during which the Third Platoon "Outlaws" of B/5-5 provided route security for the entire 1-9 Infantry Battalion with their brand new up-armored M1114 HMMWVs as they moved through the dangerous Sunni Triangle. Upon arrival in Ar Ramadi, Bravo Battery immediately began its mission, taking part in numerous cordon and searches, targeted raids, and traffic control points on battery, battalion, and brigade level operations. Additionally, the Bushwhackers assumed their primary daily mission of providing route security and enabling freedom of movement along Route Mobile as part of Operation Vigilant Hunter. During the unit's first trip to the Combat Outpost deep within Ar Ramadi, the battery's convoy was struck by a complex ambush consisting of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and Small Arms Fire (SAF). The convoy was initially separated, but managed to successfully regroup, repel the attack with suppressive fire, and continue on with its mission. SPC Calim and SPC Henry both suffered minor wounds as result of the attack, but likewise, both remained calm, collected, and executed their duties with distinction. Additionally, during the melee of the firefight, the battery's medic, SGT Lambert, remained composed and quickly treated both wounded soldiers.

A short time later while tasked with supporting the brigade on heavy QRF, B/5-5's Second Platoon "Chaos" was assigned to support the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment in an expansive mission in and around Ar Ramadi. During this particular mission, second platoon conducted route clearance and was hit on six separate occasions by IEDs on Route Nova. SSG Sutton, SSG Frazier, and SFC Cooper's crews successfully identified and destroyed several sniper positions within the area of operations, and SGT Sundsrud distinguished himself as an extremely competent and accurate Bradley gunner. Furthermore, SSG Bennett and SSG Struck's dismount teams provided assistance to Able Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry's ground search of the city of Sophia. The Chaos platoon further distinguished itself through its participation in the "Night Before Christmas" targeted raids within the city of Ar Ramadi, as several key insurgent threats were found and detained.

Bravo Battery's First Platoon "Badboys" supported several cordon and search operations, and was also tasked to provide security for a 44th Engineer Battalion cache sweep/search on Route Duster. While on this particular mission, the Badboys made enemy SAF and RPG contact several times, and likewise discovered several IEDs. First Platoon's (then) platoon leader, 1LT Sumter, found and eliminated one exceptionally threatening double-stacked 155mm round IED. The Badboys were engaged in enemy contact for six straight hours, during which time two of the Bradleys' 25mm main guns became disabled. Rather than bowing out of the fight, the Badboys came out of their hatches and continued firing on the enemy with their personal weapons while rolling through the city. They fought their way down Route Duster, through the city of Ar Ramadi, and back to Camp Ramadi preventing the loss of any personnel or equipment from their platoon or the engineer battalion. The Badboys also took part in a "trolling for contact" mission with Delta Company, 2-72 Armor during which they were hit by 2 IEDs and 5 RPGs in a single outing. Furthermore, during the frequent Traffic Control Points (TCPs) on Route Mobile, members of first platoon recovered a complete mortar tube and kit along with IED making materials, and detained a number of blacklisted personnel.

B/5-5's third platoon took on the role of a wheeled "scout" platoon while attached to 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment and then Destroyer Company, 1-506th Infantry in Camp Ramadi. The Outlaws successfully performed numerous missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during their tour in Ar Ramadi. From manning observation posts alongside Route Mobile to conducting raids and "snatch and grab" missions, third platoon had a highly active role in the success of Task Force 1-9 Infantry. The Outlaws were personally selected by the battery commander to be the main effort for the Winter Wonderland, Citadel, and Copland I and II missions, during which they seized weapons caches, gathered invaluable intelligence, and detained enemy personnel. They provided security and freedom of movement along their area's major supply routes, established blocking positions during battalion and brigade level operations, and further acted as a light-wheeled QRF throughout their deployment in Iraq. Third platoon also served as scouts/escorts to VIP convoys moving through their area of operations (AO). During one such escort mission, the convoy took enemy SAF, and the Outlaws swiftly maneuvered their vehicles to engage the enemy, while at the same time protecting the convoy. The enemy quickly retreated and third platoon escorted the convoy to safety, avoiding any equipment damage or loss of personnel.

Additionally, Bravo Battery's headquarters platoon conducted numerous intelligence-gathering and public affairs operations in the smaller towns neighboring Ar Ramadi, such as Ta'ash, Al Ta'ash, Abu Jeer, and Jabbah coordinated by the battery's Civil Affairs Information Officer, 1LT Gillen. Projects included securing running water for underdeveloped areas, clinical supplies for aid clinics, educational supplies for schools, and various humanitarian supplies for Fallujah refugees. Throughout all of B/5-5's many missions, its headquarters platoon took part in establishing blocking positions, providing outer cordons, detainee security and processing, casualty collection points, and heavy and light vehicle recovery QRF (quick reaction force), in addition to its arduous daily task of maintaining the unit's numerous wheeled and tracked vehicles. The platoon's QRF team successfully recovered several disabled civilian vehicles, as well as countless Bradleys and Abrams tanks out in sector.

In late December of 2004, Bravo Battery's two mechanized platoons and headquarters platoon were tasked with providing additional mechanized support to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, and the battery moved to Camp Habbaniyah, between the cities of Al Fallujah and Ar Ramadi. Upon their arrival, the Bushwhackers took on the mission of Operation Mad Max and provided route security on the treacherous Route Michigan. In late January of 2005, Bravo Battery's assets in both Ramadi and Habbaniyah took part in Iraq's historic first election. Third Platoon conducted patrolling operations in the town of Tammin, securing local polling locations during the elections. Likewise, B/5-5's First Platoon secured and protected polling locations in two localities around Habbaniyah without incident.

While in Habbaniyah, 2nd Platoon executed countless successful combat missions while suffering only 3 minor injuries. SSG Sutton's crew, in addition to gaining the accolade "IED magnet," successfully identified and destroyed a never-before-seen floating IED that would have otherwise destroyed the Khalidyah bridge. Likewise, SSG Bennett and SSG Frazier's respective crews caught individuals attempting to emplace IEDs along Route Michigan. Second platoon also served as a heavy QRF asset to Alpha Company, 2-72 Armour during its tenure at Camp Habbaniyah.

Bravo Battery's 1st Platoon likewise participated in daily combat missions including Operation Madmax while in Habbaniyah. In addition to identifying an abundance of IEDs and anti-tank (AT) mines emplaced on Route Michigan, the Badboys participated in numerous QRF missions. They escorted EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal, or bomb squad) to IED sites, provided freedom of movement for battalion assets during larger missions, guided VIPs between the Combat Outpost and Camp Habbaniyah, and ensured the safety of Bravo Battery's QRF medics during MEDEVAC missions. The Badboys likewise participated in two large-scale rescue missions. Twice in the same week, US Department of Defense civilian contractor convoys were ambushed while traveling down Route Net, just north of B/5-5's usual Area of Operations (AO). All available first platoon assets, along with the Battery Commander, Executive Officer, and First Sergeant, were mobilized and sent to aid in the civilians' rescue. The Badboys successfully saved over twenty civilians during both operations, and likewise identified and destroyed a car bomb that was emplaced just behind their convoy.

While none of the Bushwhackers began 2004 with even so much as a thought that they would spend their next year toiling in the desert, all 115 of B/5-5's soldiers, NCOs, and officers put forth a commendable effort. From the initial train-up, transformation into a mechanized infantry company, and extensive mobilization process to the daily combat missions, ever-present element of an unpredictable enemy, and harsh living conditions, every member of the Bushwhacker Battery remained vigilant and dedicated to the unit's success. After taking part in the army's first ever deployment from South Korea, the historic event of Iraq's first national elections, successfully executing over 450 combat missions, and the every-day struggle that is deployment to a war zone, the Bushwhackers can now and always look back on their time spent in Iraq with pride.