In this interview with Colonel Michael Moody, conducted by fellow aviator and one of his former company commanders, Major James Tenpenny, the colonel discusses his Operation Iraqi Freedom experiences as commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, from March 2003 through March 2004. Also present and questioned was Lieutenant Colonel Michael Tetu, formerly Moody's operations officer/executive officer in 4th BCT. The interview begins with a detailed discussion of the procedures underwent and challenges faced in moving all of 4th BCT's vehicles, aircraft and related equipment from Fort Hood to port; the circumstances surrounding the aborted plan to enter northern Iraq from staging bases in Turkey; and the BCT's ultimate entry into country by way of Kuwait and eventual settlement at FOB Speicher. It then moves into such subjects as the leadership techniques employed to get subordinate commanders to remain focused on the mission in light of the Turkey option being initially in question and then finally not coming to fruition; how they maintained positive communications with subordinate commanders during the move north into Iraq and the frustrating lack of long-haul comms; and also how the 4th BCT's mission changed following the President's announcement that major combat operations had ceased. Moody and Tetu additionally discuss the role that 4th BCT aircraft played in Operation Red Dawn, the December 2003 mission that resulted in the capture of Saddam Hussein. Later, Moody specifically talks about some innovations he implemented in using attack aviation assets to support ground combat units as well as his efforts to implement a wide variety of reconstruction projects and engage nearby townspeople. As he explained, "We did an operation called Operation Canvasback where every dwelling within six kilometers of Camp Speicher was visited by the intelligence officer (S2) and by an interpreter team, and then with security, with the intent of gaining a picture of the sympathies of the people who lived in those houses. So in a very methodical way," he said, "the S2 of the brigade went to every single house…. The payback to that, obviously, was developing sympathies outside of the wire with those of us who were inside the wire." Moody and Tetu also discuss the impact that changes of command had on the 4th BCT and highlight how OIF, during the time they were there, was essentially a company commander's fight. As Moody put it, "The competence, energy and initiative of our soldiers in times of stress far exceeded any of our expectations."

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