Operation Desert Strike Deployment

On 18 May, 2004 Second Brigade, Second Infantry Division received a deployment order to deploy the entire Brigade Combat Team to the CENTCOM area in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This deployment of the 2nd "Strike" Brigade was titled Operation Desert Strike. First Battalion, 506th Infantry began immediate preparations for deployment. From 30 May to 15 June 2004, soldiers of the Battalion went on block leave to prepare for the year long deployment that awaited them.

On 1 June the Department of Defense enacted stop move and stop loss. This ensured that the current Battalion that had trained in Korea would be in place for operations in Iraq. The Battalion executed an intense training program from 18 June to 8 July. This training consisted of individual, squad, platoon and company training geared to the new operational environment they would be operating in. Training consisted of STX lane training and Maneuver Live Fire Training. Meanwhile all of the Battalion's MTOE equipment was uploaded, moved to rail sites and moved to the Port of Pusan. Vessels were loaded and departed Pusan from 16-18 July. During training the Battalion organized into Task Force configuration. A/2-72 AR and C/44EN were added to our task organization and would train with and deploy as part of Task Force Currahee.

The Task Force deployed to Kuwait for RSOI activities from 3 to 11 August. This ended the final chapter in Korea, as the First Battalion, 506th Infantry said farewell to Camps Greaves and Giant, their home since the Battalion was re-activated in Korea in 1987. Once in Kuwait the Task Force downloaded all equipment at Shuaiba Port and continued additional training tasks. New equipment from the Rapid Fielding Initiative was issued to every soldier in the Task Force. By 12 August 4,177 soldiers, 241 tracked vehicles, 830 wheeled vehicles, and 256 equipment containers from the Brigade Combat Team were in theater.

On 23 August the Brigade Combat Team started Operation Sooners, onward movement from Kuwait to Iraq. The Task Force deployed by both air and ground tactical convoy. Once in theater the Task Force began right seat rides with 1st Battalion, 34th Armor from 29 August until 6 Sep 04. On 7 September 2004, TF 506th assumed authority of AO Currahee. This began the new chapter of Currahee history. Now we find ourselves in Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, still standing alone with our Currahee Brothers protecting and providing freedom on a new frontier.