Major Matthew Koehler redeployed in March 2004 from a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and continued to serve as the assistant operations officer in the 4th Infantry Division's operations shop (G3). From March 2004 until June 2004, Koehler focused on the redeployment of equipment and then the reset of the equipment. Koehler was transferred to the supply shop (S4) and then in May 2005 took command of Bravo Company, 1-67 Armor, and knew they were going to deploy in the fall of 2005. In this interview, Koehler talks about the predeployment training and the challenges he faced with an almost 100 percent turnover for all the companies within the battalion. They did not receive language or cultural training prior to deployment; however, once in Iraq, they had contracted interpreters from Titan. The movement over occurred earlier than expected and they transported all of their main equipment into theater. Once they arrived in Iraq, they completed the COIN Academy, located north of Tikrit, and integrated their previous training when applying it to operations on the ground. After completing the training, the company moved to FOB Iskandariyah, just west of Musayyib, to complete a transfer of authority (TOA) with the 155th Brigade Combat Team. Once the TOA was complete, the company's mission was to assist the provincial reconstruction team with security and transportation to and from the Karbala government building, as well as operations throughout Karbala Province, handing over part of Karbala Province to the Iraqi Army once they stood up, killing or capturing terrorist and insurgents, and building relationships with the local population. Koehler talks about the maintenance support and the living conditions. He also discusses the IED strikes against their convoys, the casualties and the effect they had on the company. An embedded reporter Stars and Stripes spoke with Koehler and accompanied a convoy on a cordon and search. In November 2006, the airborne brigade from Alaska completed the hand down and the company redeployed. While Koehler was deployed, his wife was a co-leader in the family readiness group. He discusses the challenges she faced not only being a co-leader of the FRG, but a newly married Army wife and a new mother as well. Koehler also discusses his professional lessons learned and recommendations.

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