An Iowa National Guardsman deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January through December 2005, Captain Jason Wisehart commanded Alpha Company, 224th Engineer Battalion and was located initially in the Najaf/Karbala area and then, for the majority of his time in country, in the city of Ramadi. In this interview, he begins by discussing the mobilization process and the predeployment training his unit underwent at both Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Bliss, Texas, citing a lack of combat arms instructors as the one detriment in an otherwise positive experience. Once in country, Wisehart's company was tasked primarily with urban route clearance and convoy escort missions which, at this juncture in the operation - due to the widespread insurgent employment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) - were especially dangerous. His company was also responsible for forward operating base security and improvements, as well as general engineering support to the 2nd Marine Division under which his battalion fell, a relationship he describes as "phenomenal." "The principal challenge," said Wisehart, "was that every day we were going out and locating numerous roadside bombs. That was very frustrating for my guys because we would clear a road and then, within two to three days and in the exact same hole we had just cleared, there would be another roadside bomb. So the morale part was very difficult, knowing we were going out and finding these bombs and helping coalition forces, but then the next day these holes would be littered with more bombs." In addition, Wisehart discusses what he considers very successful company and battalion efforts to "integrate and incorporate" not merely Army and Marine Corps, but Navy and Air Force assets and capabilities too, in order to "take the total package to the fight." He also talks about his company's temporary tasking of running a detention facility in Najaf, a responsibility made a bit easier by the civilian law enforcement experiences resident in many of his fellow National Guard soldiers. He reflects as well on the actual loss of three of his soldiers and praises the outstanding support his unit received from the state of Iowa and its citizens. Summing up his deployment, Wisehart said: "We were adequately supported, we had the best equipment, and I'd say we had the best mission because my guys were literally going out and saving lives every day. All the training we did prior to this and in our careers led up to this event and they exceeded my standards."

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