My Journey Through Iraq with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines

In 2007, I found myself deep in Iraq, part of Echo Company, 3rd Platoon, 1st Squad. My roles evolved from 1st Team Leader to Company PSD (Personal Security Detachment) Commander, roles that defined not only my deployment but also my life. Our mission was to secure key regions in the Anbar Province, beginning in the mysterious and challenging area of Zaidan, followed by operations in Karmah and Saqlawia.

Zaidan: The First Test

The deployment began in Zaidan, where we quickly became acquainted with the region’s unique and unforgiving climate. The winter of 2007 was oddly cold and wet, which was a stark contrast to the searing heat of the Euphrates Valley we endured later. Zaidan tested more than our combat skills—it tested our endurance and adaptability. The terrain was a mix of open fields, small villages, and canals—ideal for insurgents to operate and hide. Our mission involved many cache operations alongside other coalition forces and agencies that I still hesitate to mention.

One significant operation I recall was when Delta operators, after our groundwork, successfully captured high-value targets (HVTs). We got to watch from the roof about half a mile away as a C130 gunship pounded a complex and then helicopters swooped in. On a different occasion, our mission was prolonged from six to almost ten days because of a tragic event. Unknown assailants ambushed an Army unit, resulting in missing soldiers. This drew us from our Area of Operations (AO) into Sadr al Yusufiyah, out of Al Anbar and into the Babylonian state. Regrettably, our rescue mission was unsuccessful, as they were discovered after being captured, tortured, and murdered. This operation still pangs many of us.

One of our more notable operations in Zaidan was Operation Zaidon II. Over three grueling days, we cleared the area of anti-Iraqi forces. The operation was ultimately successful, but it was not without its challenges. The insurgents knew the terrain well, and the constant threat of IEDs and ambushes kept us on high alert. The insurgents booby-trapped houses with bombs and shotguns rigged to fire as doors were opened. Canals made movements difficult, and the fields were soaked, making the already intense heat feel even more oppressive.

Our success in Zaidan disrupted the insurgents’ operations significantly, and over the months, I could see the changes firsthand. Zaidan was the crucible that tempered us for the battles ahead.

Karmah and Saqlawia: The Battle Continues

Following our victories in Zaidan, Echo Company moved to Karmah, a town of strategic significance because of its heavy insurgent presence. Operations in Karmah were part of a broader effort under Operation Alljah, aimed at securing Fallujah and its surrounding areas, including Karmah. The fighting here was fierce. The insurgents were well-entrenched, using both the urban and rural environments to their advantage. There was a heavy presence of very capable snipers, IEDs, heavy weapons on vehicles, and VBIEDS. Each day in Karmah felt like walking into the lion’s den, but we knew that controlling this area was critical to cutting off the flow of enemy resources to Baghdad and Ramadi.

Marines held Karmah’s city center from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). These units were crucial in maintaining a foothold in the city, even after 2/7 moved on. Unfortunately, the city center came under heavy attack after our departure, resulting in significant casualties. Echo Company took control of two combat outposts located north of the city, near the MSR and canals that were used to transport weapons and fighters from Fallujah to Baghdad.

Saqlawia presented its own challenges, with continuous skirmishes against insurgent forces. This was primarily Fox Company’s area of operation. As PSD Commander of Echo Company, they sent me twice to provide support during major offensives there. I vividly remember one evening when they sent us to support a platoon of tanks, and we held a blocking position until Fox Company completed its sweep. That operation showcased the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the conflict.

The 1920s Revolutionary Brigades: From Enemies to Allies

One of the most unexpected developments during our deployment was our evolving relationship with the 1920s Revolutionary Brigades. Initially, they were our enemies, actively resisting coalition forces. However, as Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) grew more brutal, targeting Sunni tribes with their harsh tactics, the 1920s Revolutionary Brigades saw us as potential allies against a common enemy.

I was directly involved in some patrols that aimed to establish initial contact with the leaders of the 1920s Revolutionary Brigades. These meetings were tense, filled with mistrust. But over time, we found common ground. This alliance became pivotal in our operations, providing essential intelligence and support that significantly enhanced our effectiveness in dismantling AQI’s networks in the Anbar Province. As PSD Commander, I ensured considerably safe spaces for large meetings between my company commander, other Marine unit leaders, and local leaders in Karmah, attempting to control the MSRs and maintain these crucial alliances.

Reflecting on the Experience

Looking back on my time in Iraq, I’m filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. Pride for the accomplishments of Echo Company, for the missions we completed, and for the bonds forged in the crucible of suffering on deployments. Sorrow for the lives lost—both among coalition forces and Iraqis—for the friends who never made it home, and for the scars—both physical and mental—that many of us carry to this day.

As the Company PSD Commander, I had a broader perspective on the war and the intricate web of alliances, enmities, and strategies that defined our mission. I witnessed firsthand the impact of our efforts, both in the successes we achieved and in the toll it took on all of us. I also saw the ego-driven decision-making at high levels that sometimes jeopardized missions. For instance, I often had to navigate the bureaucratic red tape of submitting regiment-level patrol plans to depart friendly lines in Fallujah, which was a time-consuming process, especially when escorting a large logistics train.

One particular incident still stands out. Late one evening, a regiment used air assets to pinpoint a group of insurgents laying an IED on a heavily trafficked road. An FA-18 Hornet was ready to engage with a precision strike. However, a high-ranking officer used artillery instead. The artillery strike missed, allowing the insurgents to escape into the surrounding community, forcing the deployment of an EOD team and putting more troops at risk. It was a frustrating example of how decisions made far from the front lines could have dangerous consequences for those of us on the ground in efforts to chase promotions or medals.

The war in Iraq was a defining chapter in my life, one that I will never forget. The experiences I had with Echo Company in Zaidan, Karmah, and Saqlawia, the battles we fought, and the alliances we forged, are all part of a story that is still unfolding. It’s a story of courage, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of a mission in the face of overwhelming odds. And it’s a story that I am proud to share, not just as a Marine, but as someone who lived through it, side by side with the best men I have ever known.

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