[December 11, 2024] On this date in 2006, the Iraq War was entering a new phase. There was yet no new Army Operations Order, no special briefings, no new command guidance, or change in leadership. We would not even recognize this date for what would later become – the beginning of pre-Surge deployments of troops designed to destroy a growing insurgent threat. It all began with the Commander of the Coalition asking for a closer look at Iraq’s oil and gas infrastructure.
The “Surge” had not yet been formally announced, but there were indications that something big was on the horizon. We knew it had to be big, and it turned out we were right. I worked at the Corps level – Multi-National Corps Iraq – and even then, we were kept out of the loop. There was something brewing above Top Secret, and for now, out of our wheelhouse. That would change in a few short days.
The first point I knew something was up was when Army Commander General Casey asked about crude oil and gas flows inside Iraq and offshore. His request was unusual but important because oil and gas flows were at the heart of Iraqi modernization and cultural development. Without oil and gas, there could be no modern world. This translated into electricity for nearly everything a modern economy needs, including transportation, storage, health care, and government.
I was informed by the Army staff that Gen. Casey was working with Iraq’s Ministry of Defense to see what they were doing to protect the oil and gas pipelines that were like arteries in an animal’s body. For the entirety of the war, these pipelines were a problem. They were attacked by both terrorists (outside jihadists) and insurgents (inside disaffected Iraqis) and the pipelines often leaked due to a lack of proper maintenance. Our frustration at what seemed like intentional sabotage by unknown “friendlies” was intense.
Fortunately, by this time, the majority of senior commanders and staff had considerable experience in Iraq, most having a year or more in country. Personal relationships had developed among the Americans, Coalition partners (including the Iraq Army), and Iraqi government officials. We all had a better understanding of our lines of authority (what we were allowed to do and not do). We also knew how it was possible to be misled by Iraqi officials at every level. Caution was important. Prudence was our watch word.
In the following days, an accurate picture of the oil and gas distribution system emerged. During that time we found that only the Five Eyes (FVEY) gave reliable information and turning it into useable intelligence. All other information was highly suspect. Five Eyes is short for AUS/CAN/NZ/UK/US Eyes only. However, I’d learned how to utilize Iraqi and other foreign nationals to gather accurate information, which most of my peers struggled to do.
The yet-to-be “Surge” was coming, and we would be as prepared as possible, knowing little about what this meant from a strategic or operational standpoint. This would become the most challenging assignment I ever undertook as an Army officer.
Over the next few months in my blog, I’ll run a series on the pre-Surge events telling the Engineer/Logistical story that should be told. It would be a credit to the combat units that ultimately destroyed the enemies of Iraq, but we set the stage for that victory.
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Note: I arrived in Iraq for my second combat tour in July 2006 with considerable experience with Arabic culture and knowledge of Coalition strengths and weaknesses. I was assigned to the C-7 Engineer staff of the Multi-National Corps (the same staff I’d complained about in my first combat tour for being out of touch) Upon arrival, I made sure that I created strong personal links with key Army (4-star), Corps (3-star), and Coalition staffs. Plus, I made sure I was connected to the special staffing groups that were part of each’s internal workings.
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Sir, this article is essentially relevant given the current situation in the Middle East as tensions flare and the country of Syria just fell to a consortium of “rebel” (read that as terrorists) forces drove southward. Hezbollah had largely withdrawn and could no longer protect Assad’s military propping up Syria. Israel hammers those forces, a mix of thugs of varying degrees of brutality on each side. One revealing story from this is that We are beginning to see some of the atrocities coming out of Syria. Such a waste of life. And there is little the West can do other than to stop buying oil and gas from them. Very difficult.
I always wonder how troops in combat could “feel” that something big was coming. Please Gen. Satterfield, elaborate on this.
Great new series. Sir, keep us in suspense.
Gen. Satterfield, well, finally we’re getting a little action now with your promised series on the Surge in Iraq. Many here can’t wait for it but all I want is the facts, just the facts. So, let’s start with rumblings that something big was brewing but you couldn’t figure out what. Okay, good insight so far. What’s next? Let’s go wipe out some of those awful, murdering if terrorists.
Army Vet, thanknyou for your service (and I really mean it). Yes, I agree that this is the beginning of Gen. Satterfield’s long awaited series about the “surge” in the Iraq War. I also hope that he writes a book on it. Most folks know that Gen. S. has a straight forward writing style. And I appreciate the fact that his writings are easy to understand.
Finally we get the series that we’ve all been waiting for, far a long time now. Sir, we appreciate what you are about to provide us — with the inside mechanics that made the surge so successful. Please name names of those involved. Their contribution should be upheld for what they accomplished.
Looking forward to it. The media and Democrat politicians gaslighted us so often that it’s hard to separate truth form fiction. Gen. Satterfield will be helping sort this out.
Yes, I think most of us would like to see an inside look into the “surge” and find out what really happened. What I’ve discovered over these past few years is that the media was so against the war (because it was started by a Republican) that they were willing to lie, distort what was really happening, leave out good news, and have “experts” (against the war tell more lies) testify how badly things were going, that I no longer watch the mainstream media any longer. Never, ever, ever trust the media or any ‘famous’ media person on any piece of news whatsoever. They lie. And they encourage others to also lie. Journalism is dead. Will it ever be revived? Not until the Leftist/Progressives are routed out.
Well said, and I think that no one here, or any sane person would disagree. 👀
SUPER GOOD NEWS
Good news! A new series and this one about the long-anticipated “surge” that is the most famous and perhaps best studied part of the Iraq War. What Gen. Satterfield is writing about is what he calls the “pre-surge.” This is the build up of FOBs and outposts, roads, bridges, living quarters, power supplies, headquarters buildings, maintenance shops, and all those fine details that it takes to make an army work on the ground. Thank you, sir, for finally starting this series.
Great to see you back on. I hope you can also give us Vets some of your insights.
I am looking forward to this new series from you, Gen. Satterfield.
Welcome Junior. And, yes, you will find this leadership website full of useful info. I highly recommend that you get Gen. Satterfield’s new books to get an idea of his style and some fantastic background info too.
Nailed it, Frank. This is the way to begin reading, thinking, and learning the true nature of LEADERSHIP.
So true!!!!!!!!
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