Colonel John D. "J.D." Johnson deployed to Iraq as the commander of 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division (AD). Prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the 2d Brigade, 1st AD was stationed in Baumholder, Germany. Johnson had been to Kuwait before OIF for Operations Desert Fox and Desert Thunder. Johnson discusses the logistics of his unit in OIF, predeployment training, and the relationship with civil affairs officers. He praises the adaptability of his soldiers. Johnson's area of operations was in the center and east of Baghdad, including the Green Zone. In reaction to President Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech, Johnson notes, "To us it was clear he was talking about the ground combat operations and not just combat operations in general. In our minds it was clear that we were going to be involved in combat operations and in military operations in urban terrain (MOUT). Fairly shortly after we got there, (the insurgency) started growing. " Johnson also shares insights into a variety of topics such as command structure confusion, protestors at the "Assassins' Gate," the degraded Iraqi infrastructure, interaction with Iraqis, attempts at establishing representative local government, and Commander's Emergency Response Program money.

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