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Running Head: FIELD ARTILLERY OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM I

Field Artillery Operations Nelson J. Castro, MSG nelson.castro@us.army.mil From March 2003 to April 2004 1 October 2008 Class 59 UNCLASSIFIED Platoon Sergeant/Battalion Master Gunner/ First Sergeant

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Abstract The 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery that supported the 4th Infantry Division Artillery had received orders for deployment to Iraq. Deployment to Iraq was hinder by Turkey unwillingness to cooperate. The ships with all 4th Infantry Division Equipment had to be redirected from Turkey to Kuwait. The battalion received all its equipment once it arrived in Kuwait and began to train. The training and preparation for the battalion to convoy north into Iraq was very successful. The 2 BCT Warhorse paved the way north to Baqubah. It was led by 1-67 Armor and 2-8 Infantry Battalions. The 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery was split into task force configuration and each battery was given missions to collect enemy ammunition (CEA), counter fire, and FOB Security was a success.

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Preparation Terrorisms in the world were not going to be tolerated any longer by the United States. The buildup of troops for the Global War on Terrorism has begun. Afghanistan has been receiving light and Special Forces units for more two years. A buildup of heavy combat forces in Kuwait was now being deployed to the region. In this buildup, we were preparing to launch a ground force attack operation on Iraq and Saddam Husseins Regime. My unit 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Self-Propelled 155mm Howitzers, assigned to 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas was called to duty. The mission for 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery was to support our assigned task force with direct and indirect fire. The 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery received a warning order to prepare to deploy as a Battalion; senior leaders were still working on the details of the mission. At the initial formation in Palmer Theatre at Fort Hood, Texas, our new battalion commander who had just taken over gave his speech saying that we were going to deploy. Work began and the leaders focus was to meet all requirements that would enable the units to deploy as a combat ready unit. In the beginning, I thought they were going to send 1st Calvary Division first so we did not have a thing to worry about. I was part of Task Force 2-8 getting ready to assume duties of guarding nuclear plant as part of national security. The mission to guard nuclear plant went away very quickly. The platoon and I were sent back to battalion for new orders for deployment to Iraq. Family members received briefings on the nature of the units deployment mission; the battalion Family Readiness Groups (FRG) and Rear Detachment stood up.

FA OPS Family members also received several other briefings from different leaders in the chain

of command to include post and garrison command on their support to families during the deployment of the battalion. All units in the battalion began their training on key tasks directed by 4th Infantry Division Artillery. Each Soldier had to be tested and certified on these tasks before deployment. Leaders supervise the training and certification Mission Essential Tasks (METL), individual and collective tasks during the 4th Infantry Division training rotations in Fort Irwin, Ca (NTC) and Fort Hood training area. We only had few months to accomplish these tasks before the deployment of the units. I had already prepared the battery for the battalion to conduct a Personnel Readiness Training exercise before deployment. I made sure that all section chiefs leaders book was updated monthly. This exercise by battalion prepared the unit for deployment, ensuring that dental, medical, SGLI, DD form 93, finance, legal, dependents and other document was up to date before the Soldiers deployed. I had to make sure all assigned equipment going on this mission was mission capable status and that there were no equipment shortages. Maintenance was performed on all equipment10-20 standards. All personnel leaving Fort Hood began to checking with the III Corp G1 whose mission was to account for each Soldiers deploying to Iraq. The unit has completed the preparation phase and ready to deploy.

Deployment The 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery began their deployment on or about the last week in February of 2003 with the Soldiers on ships taking all our equipment initially to Turkey. The advance party personnel from all the batteries were set to go but Turkey

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changed its mind about letting us enter Iraq thru its port. The ships and Soldiers were now being redirected to Kuwait to receive equipment and Soldier coming. These Soldiers were responsible to go and prepare for the arrival of the main body into Kuwait. The main body began deploying on or about mid March 2003 from Fort Hood, Texas to Robert Grey Airport on west Fort Hood. I will never forget the site when all the buses being loaded up and departing through the gates. I saw some of the young children, family members, who were outside the Raider Gym crying. It touched me when I saw several of my Soldiers children grabbing for their dads shoulder crying big tears and I know that they are crying because of not knowing if they would see their love ones again. I made them a promise if they did their jobs in combat I would bring them all back. I dont allow my family to drop me off for that reason because it is too emotional for me. We stopped at the airport in Maine, Germany to refuel enroute to Kuwait. Finally, we left Germany sometime after midnight to Kuwait. It was the very first time that I have ever landed in Kuwait when the sun was up and it was pretty hot morning. Camp Udari was our next destination for acclimation and train up on some additional tasks that were scheduled for all units to conduct before heading up north. A few weeks later the unit started to receive their equipment from the port and began to prepare all wheel vehicles to travel north to our next location. We conducted live fires exercise with Paladins, individual and crew serve weapons, convoy procedures, how to react to an ambush (block or unblock), and cultural training. It is now late April and we begun the journey from Kuwait to head north to Forward Operation Base Warhorse in Baqubah, Iraq. This trip took approximately two days to complete the journey north. I drove all night and it was a grueling trip until we

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reached the half way mark. I hate to drive at night. This place was very familiar to me since I had been there before during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. We rested and refuel all vehicles then continued north again. All the tracks have been downloaded ready from movement. It was now imperative that we did not miss any turns. One of the Paladins was having problem keep up with the convoy. I had to radio ahead for the serial commander to slow down and let this gun move up front. My unit arrived in Baghdad about 1400 and I ran into one of my Drill Sergeant buddies now with 3rd Infantry Division. The convoy had to stop as we were turning heading into the Sunni Triangle. The bridge we had to cross was damaged and we did not want to have a bottle neck crossing over it. In this position near Highway 1 just outside of Baghdad we started taking on small arms fire from little pocket of the Republican Guards who were still around. My battle buddies unit fired their 50 caliber machine gun in the general direction the small arms fire was coming from. They quickly took care of the problem so I could move the serial. We had to make a difficult turn to the Sunni Triangle and we had to first turn in downtown Baghdad. The traffic this afternoon was crazy after we had cross over the bridge. I had to call the executive officer who was reading my mind. All of the passengers in the trucks had to dismount so the convoy could make the turn. Basically, we all had just become traffic cops. In Baghdad, the people started to come out from all directions trying to impede the vehicles from making the left turn which brought us to a heightened sense of alertness. I immediately started shouting to everyone not to stop for any reason. Fortunately, for the convoy we made it thru the ordeal without incident. We

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arrived at our final destination on or about 2000 hrs and I was the last serial from battalion to leave the rest area. I serving as the Platoon Sergeant for Alpha Battery 3rd, Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, I was responsible for 37 Soldiers and 3 Paladins with FAASVs. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team issued orders for our battalion to deploy Alpha Battery 3-16 FA from Baqubah east to help Task Force 2-8 Talon in the surrender of a MEK compound close to the Iranian border. The Gunnery Sergeant departed 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division FOB Warhorse with advance party to conduct a recon of the site the battery was to occupy. I moved to our new location an airfield just outside town of Muqdadiyah in the Diyala Province with 2nd platoon Alpha Battery 3-16 FA. I had not even made it three miles and one of the Paladins had problem with its track. The problem was quickly fixed and preceded thru RPG alley. In this area all unit had been encountering RPGS and small arms fired upon from all angles. I think they did not shoot at us for two reasons. They had not seen this type of equipment and they were trying to figure out what was the FAASV used for. I also, had a platoon of MLRS from the Texas National Guard and the other was how we had put on camouflage on our face and so they could only see our eyes. They had placed the platoon in an area which I did not like, so I redirected the platoon to another location. The battery had been given radar for counter fire missions we might encounter. The sections move into position and began to set their equipment and began to take incoming. I received a change of mission for the platoon leader that the platoon was moving again to another location. The MLRS had problems and now the guns were being put further up front to conduct fire missions. I moved forward with the guns on our next objective. I placed all

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the guns in the position because we were on our own for security. A Special Force team had talked the Soldiers in the MEK compound to surrender without firing a shot and give up all equipment. The commander for the MEK was very intelligent and had received his education in England. I was amazed by the wealth of knowledge he had on our equipment and that some of his Soldier had been trained around the world and even educated in different languages. I noticed how they had conducted all training there for their Soldier because if they could not read it was drawn on the walls for them. This was a location they had for the use during the Iraq and Iran War. The MEK compound was a site to see. I thought it was a big old mountain from a distance, but once I was up close, it blew my mind away. The compound had a similar look to our ammo holding area and on the walls leading into the compound was a Corp of Engineer sign saying who built it and when. In each bunker that I enter to clear, they had weapons Italian 9mm Berettas, AK 47s, and rounds for tanks, artillery to last a long time. I stay at this location for about three month guarding and marking all the ammo to be picked up. It was pretty quiet for a few weeks when we took over the compound. I had the privilege to guard the north side of the compound which was located on Diyala River. The river water was so clear I could not believe it. We were not permitted to swim in it due to possible sniper fire. This area was used by some of Saddam top official, but now it was rundown. Our area started getting attach with RPGs and mortars at night because we had cut off the supply chain into the compound. The quick reaction force was always prepared to suppress the enemy any time.

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The platoon and I had done several artillery missions once we were reassign to 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division FOB Warhorse in Baqubah. The platoon and I really enjoyed being on this FOB because everything was there compared to how we have been living. Counter fire mission was going to be one thing the platoon was waiting to do. The discussion now at higher was now being worked on in the Tactical Operation Center. I suggested we let each Paladin have their own area to shoot at doing a sweep and zone. This was because we knew where they are shooting at us from and time of day. Observer had to be put out during the afternoon from 1100 to 1600 to make sure the rounds were safe and we did not destroy or kill anyone by mistake. I had been given instructions now to fire for the brigade commander. This mission was a success because the mortars were just use of one Paladin shoot a round and not doing any damage. Now they three Paladins shooting. The UAV was flying one afternoon and the hot gun had received a mission after the radar had confirmed mortars being fired into the FOB. The gun received the mission and these guys were trying to pick the tubes being used to fire at us. It was time on target and they were killed. The FOB was quite. We must have fired up the battalion basic load of High Explosive round from there. The platoon and I were asked to do other missions, but the one I can and will not forget will be the one done with the Air Force. This mission was practiced at Fort Hood but, we did not shoot it live. The Paladins are to fire a round and the F-16 was right on top of it round. They both now are going to the target and the fighter jet drops some flares. This was being done to make them think the jet drop a bomb, but it was actually the Paladins firing. They only knew a jet was flying with a sonic boom and then they heard loud explosions.

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The Soldier was now being allowed to go home on two week leave. This was a well deserve break for all of them. The process at first was real crazy because we still had to maintain combat capabilities in the section. The other problem was since we were so spread out getting Soldier to the airfield. Once, on the manifest you have to hope and pray you did not get bump to another flight. I enjoyed my leave and was ready to get back so, another Soldier could enjoy time at home with his family. Redeployment The 3rd Bn, 16th Field Artillery began their preparation to redeploy back to Fort Hood, Texas in late March 2004. Vehicles that were going to stay in theater were work on to 10-20 level to make them mission capable for the next unit to take over the FOB. All equipment that was identifies was stay in Iraq was accounted for. Advance party personnel departed in early February 2004. The 1st Bn, 6th Field Artillery out of Germany was the replacement for 3rd Bn, 16th Field Artillery at FOB Thunder. Upon arrival of 1st Bn, 6th Field Artillery, they occupied the living areas prepared by HHB 3rd Bn, 16th Field Artillery. Then the left seat and right seat ride began. We ensured that the 1st Bn, 6th Field Artillery was fully confident on the overall mission of the FOB. The 3rd Bn, 16th Field Artillery main body began their deployment in late Mar 2004. I was given the task to receive all the flight from 4th Infantry Division. This was going to be great experience for all Soldiers to remember for the rest of their lives. Communication to all families by the Family Readiness Group was going out daily until all Soldiers returned safely. The families and Soldiers are now reunited. It was now time for all to reconnect and party. I loved great ideas from and I guess we learned from past deployments. It was to take care of the families. The commander for the 4th

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Infantry Division had the spouses and the Soldier attend Iron Horse University. This was used to get them thru class for help dealing with any kind of problem. It was a very useful tool for young couples and Soldiers who have never been deployed trying to fit back into society. The whole 4th Infantry Division had to complete it before we could take any leave. The celebration of the 4th Infantry Division was now set. The list of stars that came out to support us was unbelievable. They had wrestler from WWE, Ludacris a rapper, Eddie Griffin a comedian perform on the stage in front of 4th Infantry Division. The community came out to support the Soldiers. The whole event was free to the Soldiers and families. Tragically a family going on leave gets killed. I had just said not knowing my final good bye to this family after commanders safety brief. They were driving home to California, after picking up their son who had made it thru the deployment being hit by IEDs and shoot at without a mark. The whole family was killed on impact by a drunk driver. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I did not know them like their son, but he was good Soldier and I will never forget him.

Conclusion I have giving you a brief detail on how 3rd BN, 16th Field Artillery was successful during Operation Iraqi Freedom I. I have fully discussed all the phases of the operation that made the battalion deployment and redeployment a success. The tragic loss of Soldiers happens in training, combat, life in general and I hope it does not happen again.