The day before 5-73 CAV was to move into Iraq, the plan changed and one troop was to be detached to another unit for a separate mission. Alpha Troop would
go to the area surrounding Baqubah, the provisional capital of Diyala Province. On the surface, the area appeared to peaceful with a mix of Sunni and Shia, religious leaders who were moderate and a functioning local government. Under the surface, violent extremists were attempting undermine the good order and seize control of the area.
Alpha Troop would place themselves squarely in the middle of this unrest by establishing Patrol Base Otis. It would be a violent beginning…
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Peter C. Svoboda 