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Interview with MAJ Stephen Shrader

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Major Stephen Shrader served as the HHC commander for 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry - part of 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division - from March 2003 to July 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shrader first deployed from May 2002 to December 2002 in support of Operation Desert Spring. The time he spent in Kuwait was spent conducting broad spectrum training and cross-training soldiers to have the ability to do more than what their MOS states. They returned to Camp New Jersey, Kuwait after the Christmas break and drew most of their equipment at that time. Shrader was read into the plan then to cross the berm into Iraq and he talks about how his company fit into the maneuver of moving north into Iraq. When preparing for the movement into Iraq, he did receive guidance as to the type and amount of supplies to bring with him. Shrader talks about the challenges he faced during the movement and the recovery plan for the vehicles. During the movement to Baghdad, the company did suffer their first casualties. The company made a few more movements and stopped at Camp Victory. Their tasks were to maintain and keep the supply push forward in addition to playing an active role in combat operations. Baghdad International Airport was established and used to bring in supplies to be pushed forward to the troops. Shrader had some contact with the local population and offers his impression of their attitude towards the US military. He had three embedded reports within the battalion and talks about how one of the reporters started to appreciate the sacrifices the soldiers go through every day. The company made the movement back to Kuwait and he talks about the challenges of working with contractors assisting in the move. The equipment turn-in at Arifjan was not as smooth as Shrader would have liked. The company redeployed in July 2003 by way of contracted commercial aircraft from Kuwait International. Shrader offers his lessons learned and recommendation based on this deployment. He also discusses how the family readiness group was able to assist 175 families while the company was deployed.

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Major Stephen Shrader served as the HHC commander for 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry - part of 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division - from March 2003 to July 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shrader first deployed from May 2002 to December 2002 in support of Operation Desert Spring. The time he spent in Kuwait was spent conducting broad spectrum training and cross-training soldiers to have the ability to do more than what their MOS states. They returned to Camp New Jersey, Kuwait after the Christmas break and drew most of their equipment at that time. Shrader was read into the plan then to cross the berm into Iraq and he talks about how his company fit into the maneuver of moving north into Iraq. When preparing for the movement into Iraq, he did receive guidance as to the type and amount of supplies to bring with him. Shrader talks about the challenges he faced during the movement and the recovery plan for the vehicles. During the movement to Baghdad, the company did suffer their first casualties. The company made a few more movements and stopped at Camp Victory. Their tasks were to maintain and keep the supply push forward in addition to playing an active role in combat operations. Baghdad International Airport was established and used to bring in supplies to be pushed forward to the troops. Shrader had some contact with the local population and offers his impression of their attitude towards the US military. He had three embedded reports within the battalion and talks about how one of the reporters started to appreciate the sacrifices the soldiers go through every day. The company made the movement back to Kuwait and he talks about the challenges of working with contractors assisting in the move. The equipment turn-in at Arifjan was not as smooth as Shrader would have liked. The company redeployed in July 2003 by way of contracted commercial aircraft from Kuwait International. Shrader offers his lessons learned and recommendation based on this deployment. He also discusses how the family readiness group was able to assist 175 families while the company was deployed.

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