In the fourth episode of MWI’s Urban Warfare Project podcast, John Spencer is joined by retired Lt. Col. Rob MacMillan. In 2008, Lt. Col. MacMillan was serving as the battalion operations officer of 1-68 Armor in 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. The brigade was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where it took part in the battle of Sadr City. He shares details of the battle and the role his battalion played in it. The conversation offers a detailed operational view of the battle and of the unique challenges of urban warfare.
Listen to the episode below, and be sure to subscribe to the Urban Warfare Project podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode.
Image credit: Sgt. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo, US Army
Love how this complete forgot to mention who ACTUALLY came up with those TTP’s and was in those thick battles on the east side. It was alpha company and delta company of 4-64AR 3rd ID. But whatever. You know who’s videos you used for your battalion “moto” video.
Yes you’re right, they didn’t mention us the 3ID 4-64 Armor and Mechanize Infantry division, place the T walls even under fire. Also we were on the roof long hour taking fire from multiple position and our boys never quit the fought fearless.
I were over there as Sergeant of 3ID infantry brigades we fought hard took forever from three different position but We hold and my boys fought bravery with no feeler and finish the mission. We took fire from three different positions sniper fire, mortar attack and small arms fire, on the roof and on the street. I hope the get the real information form all who were oversee fighting. We did our job if I got call I will do it all over again “We Pierce” Hoooooahhhh
A "battle" that didn't need to happen. We (MP's) were operating fine in Sadr City in 2007, when 2nd Bde 82nd came in. Destroyed relationships, stopped us from fulfilling our mission by imposing a "no-go" order north of PL Gold. Never wanted to listen or even allow us to continue our mission, even though we had not been attacked there while training and patrolling with the IPs. Drive Strykers through the tiny streets, ripping down wires, destroying streets and buildings. Our targeted raids with the IPs were being effective, reporting indicated that JAM was scaling back, etc., etc. You all fought what needed to be fought, but it could have been avoided. Just my perspective.
Also overlooked C, 1-64AR, 2BCT, 3ID. They were key players in that fight and played a critical role in securing that area.
There are photos of 1/64, I took them, especially in a vehicle graveyard in Sadr City next to a mahdi army checkpoint. I covered the entire Sadr City uprising from March to May 2008. Regards, SSG Joseph Rivera Rebolledo, USA, RET.