Major David Wakefield served as an ODA commander with 10th Special Forces Group in support of his second Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, in 2003-2004. Despite having only two months between deployments, that was enough time for him to reset and refit prior to deploying back to Iraq. They completed all predeployment preparations, which were focused on the tasking they would receive once in theater. Wakefield made the movement over as a part of the advance party to Tikrit. Once in theater, they wished they would have brought more construction equipment, however they were able to use the equipment and building materials from the 4th Infantry Division headquarters. Prior to his arrival, the overall situation had increased due to an attack on the previous ODA convoy which resulted in the death of one interpreter and a couple of ODA members wounded. Once the team had arrived, they were not going to be located on a FOB but in a compound comprised of four buildings. Wakefield discusses the extra precautions they took to ensure the maximum amount of security for this compound. While there were attempted attacks on the compound, none of them resulted in any casualties. During the course of this deployment, their main task was to identify, capture or kill anti-Iraqi forces. Wakefield discusses the process and preparations prior to the missions. One of his accomplishments was the planning for hitting 35 targets on one night. Wakefield discusses the process once a target has been detained. Wakefield received some assistance from the local population despite risking their lives working with the US military. The 2nd Battalion, 10th Group replaced Wakefield in theater after the handoff. Wakefield discusses his challenges and accomplishments and offers his lessons learned and recommendations.

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