By Peter C. Svoboda
The flight of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters carrying Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Poppas, the commanding officer of the 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), also known as 5-73 CAV, call sign Headhunter 6, and the key leaders of 5-73 CAV, had been conducting a day-long aerial reconnaissance. It had been approximately one year since a maneuver force had been present in Area of Operation (AO) Headhunter before the arrival of 5-73 CAV. This lack of coalition presence precluded a formal relief-in-place process and dictated that squadron planning efforts focus on the quest for intelligence. Living outside of the forward operating base (FOB) afforded the squadron the ability to gain quick situational awareness of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) capabilities, governmental capacity, economic patterns, and Anti-Iraq Forces (AIF) composition and activity.
The distinctive unit insignia of the 73d Cavalry dates back to May 1942, when the Army approved its use for the 756th Tank Battalion. It was later approved for the 73d Tank Battalion and 73d Armor before being redesigned for the 73d Cavalry Regiment on 25 February 2004. (Institute of Heraldry)
5-73 CAV had deployed to Iraq in August 2006 as part of 3d Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 82d Airborne Division. Originally, 5-73’s mission was to support 3d BCT in Salah ad Din Province. A last-minute change of mission designated the squadron’s area of operation, AO Headhunter, in Diyala Province. AO Headhunter was bordered to the north by the Sulaymaniyah Province, Wasit Province to the south, Iran to the east, and Salah Din Province and Baqubah to the west. The total area equals approximately 4,550 square miles, or roughly the size of Connecticut.[i]
Alpha Troop was detached from 5-73 CAV and sent to Baqubah, the capital of Diyala Province, to deal with sectarian violence. Bravo and Charlie Troops, along with the squadron headquarters, began combined operations with ISF and Iraqi Department of Border Enforcement (DBE) to disrupt enemy activities, as well as support training efforts for DBE personnel. The goal was to further develop the conditions, shape the intelligence, and begin to build a working relationship with ISF in this sector. With Alpha Troop detached, 5-73 CAV only had two maneuver troops, one forward support company (FSC), and the headquarters troop to conduct combat operations in AO Headhunter.
The reduction in manpower resulted in the squadron having four maneuver platoons, one platoon serving as squadron reserve, two 120mm mortar sections, and one sniper section available for combat operations. The FSC (Delta Troop), composed of a variety of Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) would prove invaluable to keeping the squadron running as well as supplementing its combat power.
Operation NAHER CHABIR was the first of numerous combat operations in and around Turki. The three maneuver phases of this operation were three back-to-back, seventy-two-hour operations where the entire squadron, including headquarters and the FSC, lived from desert patrol bases and conducted patrols with ISF counterparts in three main areas in AO Headhunter: the Iraq-Iran border, Balad Ruz, and the area east of Hamrin Lake.
Phases 2-4 of Operation NAHER CHABIR overwhelmed the AIF with the presence of coalition forces and gave the squadron its first reconnaissance of AO Headhunter. Living outside of the FOB afforded the squadron the ability to gain quick situational awareness of ISF capabilities, governmental capacity, economic patterns, and AIF composition and activity.
The first problem set cited was the porous border between Iraq and Iran, which made up the eastern border of AO Headhunter. Here, the “Shepherds,” or local villages and tribes, focused primarily on moving accelerants from Iran or harvesting the munitions left over from the Iran-Iraq war for sale to the highest bidder.
The second problem set identified was the Sunni AIF group south of Balad Ruz, known as “The Council”—a Wahabbist group that had gained dominance in the region since the Saddam Hussein was regime toppled. This group established a large network of training camps, safe houses, and early warning networks across southern Diyala, and provided training for Al-Qaeda insurgents from Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The third problem set was the Al Nida tribe, which was given land by Saddam Hussein, along with financial support, to further secure Iraq from Iran and facilitate the Baathist agenda in the eastern Diyala Province. With the fall of Saddam Hussein, the Al Nida tribe’s influence was reduced to nothing, leading them to provide accelerants and intelligence to the highest bidder, primarily Sunni insurgent groups. Ultimately, they began taking on a Wahabbist, Al-Qaeda agenda, and refused to participate in Diyala elections, denying a legitimate voice for tribe members in the governance of the region. The last problem set was the Kurdish expansion throughout AO Headhunter, potentially creating regional instability.[ii]
Upon completion of Operation NAHER CHABIR, 5-73 CAV was able to prioritize problem sets which were used to execute Operation THEH BOOT, Operation KELB, Operation BLACKSMITH, and Operation QIRIT MAYIET.[iii] Each operation gleaned positive results including the detaining of several high-value individuals (HVIs), arms dealers smuggling weapons to AIF, and the destruction of numerous weapons caches. These combat operations led to the aerial reconnaissance that was being conducted by Poppas and his key leaders.
5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry Regiment (5-73 CAV), part of the 82d Airborne Division’s 3d Brigade Combat Team (BCT), was to support 3d BCT in Iraq’s Salah ad Din Province in 2006 but a last-minute change of mission sent it to Area of Operation Headhunter in Diyala Province. (http://www.mapsof.net/iraq/iraq-diyala-province)
After a long day, the aerial recon of the battlespace on 12 November 2006 was about to end when a glint of light caught their attention. After landing, the paratroopers discovered that the glint was, in fact, a hatch leading to a buried twenty-foot-long shipping container. Further investigation revealed a cache that included a large quantity of small arms ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades, and an 82mm recoilless rifle. American troops located a second cache with a large quantity of small arms ammunition along with human remains. They also found a well-camouflaged white pickup truck nearby that contained materials for constructing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and $1,400 in new U.S. $100 bills.
Poppas conferred with the squadron’s S-3 (Operations) Major Brett Sylvia. The decision was made to execute a plan centered around a reconnaissance of Turki as well as the adjoining villages in preparation for a future operation that would establish a permanent coalition presence in this area.[iv] The entire squadron, Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Troops (less their 1st Platoons, which would continue to support the border mission), along with Delta Troop, were alerted.[v]
A soldier lifts enemy munitions out of a captured underground weapons cache in Diyala Province in November 2006. (Craig Honbarger)
A small contingent consisting of Poppas, his security detail, and eight subordinates remained on the ground and proceeded with the site-sensitive exploitation of the caches. They were under constant surveillance from suspected enemy fighters on motorcycles, but the paratroopers remained unmolested.
For the next seven hours, the ground assault convoy moved south from FOB Caldwell. After the arrival of the rest of the squadron that evening, with each troop occupying their specified areas, several events changed this area reconnaissance into a movement to contact. On the second day, 13 November, the squadron conducted an air assault on four AIF identified at an insurgent training camp to their south. From the cache location, the remainder of the squadron pushed forward on multiple routes to conduct a reconnaissance of identified future objectives. For the next four days, this area reconnaissance quickly turned into a squadron movement to contact as Task Force Headhunter faced an organized and trained insurgent force. The AIF began attempting to interdict the main lines of communication (LOC) between Balad Ruz and the squadron locations by hastily emplacing over fourteen antitank mines after the squadron had moved through the area.
On the night of 14 August, 5-73 CAV identified and killed twenty-seven enemy fighters massed south of the nearby village of 30 Tamooz. This event shifted the focus of the squadron to a deliberate clearance of the local canals. These canals, which were normally used for crop irrigation, had been transformed into spider holes used by enemy forces to hide weapons and to maneuver around the battlefield. This clearance resulted in thirty-six-hours of continuous combat, integrating close air support, attack weapons teams (AWTs), AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to destroy a dug-in and determined enemy who fought to the death.[vi]
Troopers of 5-73 CAV stand before an insurgent weapons cache that includes small arms ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades, and an 82mm recoilless rifle. (Ray Edgar)
For Charlie Troop, the morning of 15 November began with a battle update brief provided by Captain John Carson. A movement to contact would be initiated to search and clear a series of approximately thirty to forty irrigation canals that were located to the southwest of 30 Tamooz.
As the column moved down the road, it immediately became apparent that this elevated position that was surrounded by large fields on either side would provide good cover for the enemy. The road sat above the canals that were on either side of it. The roadside canals were concrete-lined and had water in them. The secondary canals were simply dirt-lined that were dry until the valves would be opened to fill them. The terrain on either side of the canal had chest-high marsh grass interspersed by field-high vegetation with sporadic hedgerows. Turki Village was visible off in the distance.
5-73 CAV troopers search through tall grass along a canal in Diyala Province in November 2006 and discover a well-camouflaged insurgent bongo truck. (Michael Clemens; Mike Few)
As the column moved forward, two insurgents were found digging a placement hole for an IED. Paratroopers from 5-73d Cav quickly captured them while the remainder of the column began sweeping the area for any other enemy activity and pulling security to defend against an enemy ambush. A squad-plus dismounted and moved into the brush to locate any enemy weapons caches.
The cornfields, marsh grass, weeds, and trees all grew tall, which gave the enemy excellent cover and concealment. A small grass hut next to a berm and a cornfield, along with canal ditches, formed a choke point. Leading into it was a berm covered with date trees. Once through the tree line, an adjacent cornfield needed to be cleared. As the sweep progressed, a hut with a cooking fire was discovered nearby.
5-73 CAV troopers search through tall grass along a canal in Diyala Province in November 2006 and discover a well-camouflaged insurgent bongo truck. (Michael Clemens; Mike Few)
As paratroopers moved closer, a military-age male stepped out, made eye contact with the patrol, and immediately raised his arms signaling that he wanted to surrender. Almost simultaneously, another suspect bolted from the hut, running away from the patrol. Within seconds of this contact, the sounds of enemy rifle fire suddenly filled the air. From behind a motorcycle next to the hut, an enemy fighter began spraying the column with deadly accuracy. The paratroopers immediately began returning fire, killing the insurgent. A situation report from the radio operator confirmed troops in contact: “Charlie 6 this is Red 1 Romeo request immediate medevac, shots fired, one enemy killed, one friendly wounded, battle roster number to follow.”
The battle roster number would have the casualty’s troop letter, initials, and the last four digits of the social security number. Lieutenant John Ryan Dennison was struck by enemy fire and would die from his wounds a short time later. Dennison would be 5-73 CAV’s first killed in action.
As Alpha Troop got closer to Charlie Troop’s fight, an enemy fighter suddenly appeared, threw his rifle down, and feigned surrender. As they got closer, two insurgents engaged the advancing paratroopers who in turn returned fire and eliminated the threat.
As evening approached on 15 November, Alpha Troop began setting fire to the canals to flush out the enemy. Tunnels had been dug to conceal enemy fighters and their weapons. Some of these were complex bunker systems that could conceal up to fifteen enemy fighters. A short time later, Captain Stephen Dobbins gave Sergeant First Class Willie Lillie, one of Bravo’s platoon sergeants, a grid for an open field that would be used to establish a patrol base for the night. Moving to loiter, Lillie had carefully marked the path with chemlights to ensure that the gun trucks stayed out of the path of any IEDs.
The inside of the truck carrying the Bravo Troop commander filled with a cloud of dust and the deafening sound of the detonation from a landmine. Those not injured quickly tried to assess the damage, tend to their wounded comrades, and secure a defensive perimeter in anticipation of an enemy follow-on attack.
Lillie was only ten feet away when the explosion ripped into him. Having the sensation of burning from exposure to fire, the wounded sergeant could not orient himself to what had happened. Lillie fell flat on his face when he tried to stand. His helmet had been blown off his head and his weapon was torn from its D-ring attachment on his body armor. Lillie suffered a head wound that was significant and required medevac along with other paratroopers who had been concussed.
The troop commander was able to remain in command assisted by his first sergeant. Reports of enemy fighters massing for an attack as well as coalition fighter aircraft observing a truck being loaded with RPGs prompted engaging both, with the result being the destruction of the enemy vehicle and the elimination of twelve insurgents. Alpha and Charlie Troops were both in firefights with enemy fighters at this time.
The night hours of 15-16 November found elements of Alpha and Charlie Troops being maneuvered on by enemy forces. Night optics captured a possible hostile force of thirty or more enemy fighters maneuvering against Charlie Troop. There were three distinct elements: forward security, main body, and then rear security moving in a classic patrol formation. The issue with engaging the enemy was the signature did not offer absolute certainty that these images were the enemy as it was difficult to distinguish any weapons.
Soldiers from Alpha Troop set fire to grass along canals to flush insurgents from their positions, 15 November 2006. (Michael Clemens)
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior gunship video was able to confirm the insurgents had a variety of weapons, including RPGs and mortars. Two Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft were on station and eliminated the threat. At first light, the Charlie Troop element moved forward to gather any intelligence and perform a battle damage assessment (BDA). Lieutenant Rhett Schiller, who until recently had been Charlie Troop’s executive officer, along with Captain Carson, Charlie Troop’s commander, moved into the canal with their dismounts. At the same time, two canals over from Carson and Schiller’s patrol, Alpha Troop, under the command of Captain Mike Few, began receiving accurate small arms fire. A Predator UAV armed with a Hellfire missile was able to neutralize the entrenched enemy.
Alpha Troop Humvees link up with Charlie Troop south of Phase Line S1. (Mike Few)
Carson’s patrol was being led by Schiller. They entered and moved through a decent-sized canal, with a dry trough with vegetation growing out at the base. There was a narrow dirt path running alongside it with berms on either side, and several members of the patrol were moving along one of the berms. Without warning, extremely effective enemy machine-gun fire drove all the paratroopers to the ground. Schiller, along with an Iraqi soldier, were struck several times and were grievously wounded. A troops-in-contact was transmitted as the paratroopers began returning fire, while the medics moved forward to treat the wounded and the nine line medevac request was transmitted. An Air Force joint terminal attack controller assigned to the Army to direct aircraft that provide close air support called in two F-16s to help suppress the enemy fire. The fighters’ first pass confirmed at least twenty to twenty-five enemy fighters were threatening the casualty collection point.
After receiving approval to make their gun run “danger close” (so close that it was going to put the ground forces in imminent danger), the fighters made numerous passes to attempt to determine the exact location of both the enemy and the paratroopers. The gun runs, which showered the paratroopers in dirt and debris, silenced the enemy position.
A 5-73 CAV trooper hooks up a tow cable to an up-armored Humvee armed with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun. (Craig Honbarger)
With insurgents attempting to overrun their position and several severely wounded in need of medevac, the AH-64 Apache gunships were able to provide the exact location of the enemy fighters so the gun trucks could suppress the enemy movement. The Apaches returned after refueling despite marginal flying conditions, as well as the fact that the pilots had reached their maximum allowable flight hours. The F-16s vectored in the Apaches, who silenced the enemy force.
The medevac struggled through the weather and was able to evacuate the wounded. Word was received a short time later that Lieutenant Schiller had died of his wounds.
Captain Stephen Dobbins, commanding officer of Bravo Troop, sits on the front of his Humvee that was destroyed by an insurgent landmine on 15 November. Despite his wounds, Dobbins refused evacuation, helped extricate soldiers from the wrecked vehicle, and led his troopers in repelling a coordinated enemy ambush. Dobbins was later awarded the Silver Star for his actions. (Michael Clemens)
The fighting in and around Turki continued to intensify. Clearing spider holes dug into the side of the canals was reminiscent of combat in Vietnam. The enemy had their weapons and their Korans. Blood chits were also found. These messages encouraged the insurgents to destroy the invaders, giving their lives to defend their religious extremism. Bringing the gun trucks on line to use machine-gun fire and grenades to clear these entrenched enemy fighters was the only way to ensure that this enemy threat was destroyed.
The paratroopers of 5-73 CAV had bloodied the enemy. Seventy-four enemy fighters were killed. The troopers discovered five large caches and eliminated them. During heavy sustained combat, 5-73 CAV lost two of its junior leaders in Dennison and Schiller; another eleven soldiers suffered wounds. Over twenty valor award narratives would attest to the ferocity of the battle, including a Presidential Unit Citation awarded to 5-73 CAV. It was just the beginning of a tough fight for these 300-plus paratroopers. As if foretelling what the future held for this battlespace, as the squadron was leaving, two enemy fighters pursued them on foot firing AK-47s. The two were killed by helicopter gunships flying overhead. The insurgents were willing to defy all who challenged them.
Major General Jim Higgins, commanding general of the 82d Airborne Division, attaches a Presidential Unit Citation streamer embroidered TURK VILLAGE, IRAQ, to the colors of 5-73 CAV, at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), North Carolina, 26 May 2011. (U.S. Army)
[i] Philip Kiniery, Presidential Unit Citation narrative, Part 1, 2.
[ii] Ibid, 6.
[iii] Ibid, Part 2, 1-6.
[iv] Peter C. Svoboda, Headhunter: 5-73 CAV and Their Fight for Iraq’s Diyala River Valley (Havertown, PA: Casemate Publishers, 2020), 38.
[v] Ibid, 39.
[vi] Kiniery, Presidential Unit Citation narrative, Part 2, 8-9.
