Major David Wakefield served as an assistant S3 with 10th Special Forces Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from April until July 2005. The battalion had deployed in January 2005 and Wakefield was deploying to replace another staff officer who was going to be PCS'ing. There was a short preparation time prior to Wakefield making the movement into theater. Once arriving at Baghdad International Airport, Wakefield fell in on all the equipment he would need and he received a handoff. Wakefield discusses the changes that had been made in comparison to previous deployments. His primary tasks were to assist the ODAs when they had a mission and ensuring their contingency operations plans were approved prior to the mission. While Wakefield would have preferred to be standing beside the ODA when they were conducting those missions, he knows he was providing an important supporting role to assist those teams. Wakefield was replaced in theater by a member of 2nd Battalion, 5th Group. His replacement was a member of the advance party which gave Wakefield additional time for the handoff. He discusses his challenges and accomplishments during this deployment to include providing multiple briefs for General David Petraeus focusing on Iraqi special operations forces. Wakefield offers his lessons learned and recommendations based on this deployment.

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