Major James C. Schwartz served as the commander of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery - attached to 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment - in support of 3rd Infantry Division's cavalry squadron as it moved north to Baghdad during the major combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In this interview, conducted while Schwartz was a student at Intermediate Level Education at the Command and General Staff College, he discusses how his battery deployed from the assembly area and provided the fire support for 3-7 CAV all the way to Baghdad. During their movement to Baghdad, the battery was also engaged by elements of the Fedayeen Saddam. Upon arrival in Baghdad, Alpha Battery was tasked to set up a blocking position on a route entering the city. On 14 April 2003, Alpha Battery returned under the command of 1-9 Field Artillery. In late spring, the battery was tasked to restore order within a sector of the city of Fallujah. During their operation, the battery fired 696 rounds, conducted 41 fire missions, and drove an average of 1,000 kilometers per vehicle. As a result of their actions during OIF, the battery won the Henry A. Knox Award for the best Active Component battery for the year 2003.

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