In this first of four interviews conducted with Major James Love concerning his Global War on Terrorism deployments, he discusses his command of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry in the area around Baiji in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As part of the 4th Infantry Division, Love relates how all of their vehicles and equipment were in the process of being shipped when Turkey refused them transit into Iraq, forcing his unit to focus on military operations in urban terrain and close-quarters battle, training which proved valuable later on. He also relates how the situation at the port in Kuwait was chaotic, how it took 24 hours to locate his company's vehicles, and he describes it as "like herding cats." While in Baiji, Love's infantry company, as part of a tank-heavy task force, was spread thin, conducting every raid and many presence patrols while giving his soldiers latitude to expand the scope of their operations. To his regret, Love changed command and returned to the United States before his unit had finished its deployment in Iraq.

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