Deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from March 2004 through February 2005, Colonel James C. McConville commanded the 1st Cavalry Division's 4th Aviation Brigade and, in this interview, focuses on his unit's participation in Operation Phantom Fury (Al Fajr), the November 2004 combined-joint assault to retake the Iraqi city of Fallujah. McConville begins by laying out the principal differences between Phantom Fury and what occurred in Fallujah back in April 2004. During the decisive November operation, for example, Iraqi forces were moved securely into Fallujah by air and ground units from 1st CAV; an aerially supported outer cordon was established by the Black Jack Brigade; Army heavy battalions were employed, again supported by Army aviation, and served as the "main effort for each of the Marine regiments attacking in zone"; and finally, Army aviation effected the movement of key personnel and also resupplied forces engaged in combat. During the battle itself, McConville explained, his brigade’s Kiowa Warrior, Blackhawk and Apache helicopters performed a wide variety of reconnaissance, security, attack and lift missions, many of which had larger strategic implications. McConville himself was part of a Kiowa Warrior team that was conducting counter mortar and rocket interdiction missions – and his battalion commanders flew in support of this operation as well, combating an enemy that “really wanted to take an aircraft down.” However, McConville added, “at the end of the day, this fight was about lieutenants, captains and sergeants. When we fought, we fought as lethal, agile teams,” and he gives great credit to the “heroic aviators” under his command.

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