Red Devils: Tactical Perspectives From Iraq

This essay describes the operations of a US Army infantry battalion as it prepared for combat at its home base in Europe and fought in northern Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The actions described were carried out by the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry, a subordinate unit of the 173d Airborne Brigade stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Both organizations were part of the US Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne), known as SETAF, and also headquartered in Vicenza, Italy. These units were normally responsible to the Commander US Army Europe for train-ing and tasking, and they provided the Commander US European Com-mand (USEUCOM) with a rapid reaction capability throughout Europe, most of Africa, and parts of the Middle East.
The 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry is more often than not re-ferred to by its World War II regimental nickname—the “Red Devils.” In the fall of 2002, the Red Devil mission was to alert, marshal, and deploy within 24 hours of notification by air, ground, rail, or sea transportation to conduct forcible entry, ground combat, or stability and support operations to demonstrate US resolve, or respond within 24 hours to crisis as directed by USEUCOM. The battalion would eventually have the opportunity to carry out nearly every task in its mission statement—although it would perform them far outside of its traditional area of employment.