In 2004-05 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Major Jimmy Anderson commanded Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery - part of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division - for the majority of his tour, and then for the remaining two months served in Kuwait with Task Force Breakout, which was tasked with bringing back the entire division to Germany. In this interview, Anderson discusses his role as commanding the firing battery during their time in northern Diyala Province; his battery's support of Task Force 2-2 Infantry in particular; as well as one platoon of his being sent to Fallujah to fire missions - 894 rounds total - for Operation Al Fajr. Anderson also talks about convoy logistical runs, force protection of FOB Normandy, and sphere of influence engagements with the local populace of Hamrin Village. They performed exceptionally well," he said of his soldiers. "I was very proud of each and every one of them. They were handed four missions - three of them being nontraditional missions - and they went out and executed to the best of their ability, so I can't say enough about them."

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited