Rest Up, Retrain, and OIF IV: 2004 - 2006

Following Operation Iraqi Freedom I (OIF I), which concluded in early 2004, the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (1-327) of the 101st Airborne Division returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The battalion's performance during OIF I had earned it the Valorous Unit Award, recognizing its extraordinary heroism in combat operations.

After a period of reset and retraining at Fort Campbell, 1-327 deployed again in late 2005 as part of OIF II. The battalion was stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) McHenry near Hawijah, Iraq, an area that would soon become notorious for its extreme violence and insurgent activity.

Hawijah, located about 30 miles southwest of Kirkuk, was considered one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq during this period. The city and its surrounding areas were populated almost exclusively by Sunni Arabs, many of whom had enjoyed a favored status under Saddam Hussein's regime and were now resentful of the new power dynamics in post-invasion Iraq.

FOB McHenry, situated about two miles southeast of Hawijah's center, became the home base for 1-327. The FOB was positioned in an expanse of agricultural land, which provided some defensive advantages but also meant that any movement outside the base immediately exposed soldiers to potential threats.

The 1-327 faced an incredibly hostile environment from the moment they arrived. The frequency of enemy engagements was alarmingly high, with reports indicating that the battalion was involved in multiple combat incidents daily. These included not only improvised explosive device (IED) attacks but also small arms fire, mortar attacks, and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) assaults.

Soldiers from 1-327 reported encountering an average of 3-5 IEDs per day. This constant threat made routine patrols and movements extremely hazardous, requiring heightened vigilance at all times. The intensity of insurgent activity in Hawijah was such that whenever U.S. forces left FOB McHenry, they drove directly into the teeth of an angry and violent insurgency.

The volatility of the area was further evidenced by the fact that FOB McHenry itself was a frequent target of insurgent attacks. Mortar rounds and rockets were often fired at the base, with some landing dangerously close to key facilities. This constant threat meant that even when not on patrol, the soldiers of 1-327 had to remain vigilant and ready to respond to attacks on their home base.

The severity of the situation in Hawijah was such that it gained notoriety even among high-ranking military officials. General David Petraeus, who would later become the commander of all coalition forces in Iraq, once remarked that Hawijah remained a "shit hole" even as other parts of Iraq were showing progress.

The challenges faced by 1-327 in Hawijah were not limited to combat operations. The battalion also had to navigate complex tribal dynamics, sectarian tensions, and a population that was often hostile or indifferent to their presence. Despite these obstacles, the soldiers of 1-327 continued to carry out their missions with professionalism and dedication.

The high operational tempo and constant threat of attack took a toll on the unit. Over the course of their deployment, 1-327 suffered numerous casualties, both killed and wounded. These losses served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the battalion in this volatile region of Iraq.

Despite the extreme challenges and constant violence, 1-327 persevered in their mission to bring stability to Hawijah and train Iraqi security forces. The battalion conducted numerous operations to counter insurgent activities and maintain stability in the region, including targeted raids against suspected insurgent hideouts, establishing and manning checkpoints, and conducting patrols to maintain a visible presence and gather intelligence.

One of the key initiatives undertaken by 1-327 was the training of Iraqi Army units. The battalion worked closely with elements of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, conducting joint operations and providing mentorship to improve their capabilities. This effort was seen as crucial for the long-term stability of the region.

By September 2006, while the situation in Hawijah remained challenging, 1-327 had made some progress in their mission. The battalion had conducted numerous successful operations, disrupted insurgent networks, and made strides in training and equipping Iraqi security forces. However, the area remained one of the most volatile in Iraq, a testament to the difficult and dangerous conditions faced by the soldiers of 1-327 throughout their deployment.

The experiences of 1-327 in Hawijah from late 2005 to September 2006 exemplified the challenges faced by U.S. forces during this phase of the Iraq War. The battalion's ability to operate effectively in such a hostile environment, maintaining their mission focus despite the constant threats and losses, demonstrated the resilience and professionalism of the unit. Their time in Hawijah would come to be seen as one of the most intense and challenging periods in the battalion's recent history.