Operation Head Hunter 2007: U.S. and Iraqi Forces in Tarmiyah

Strategic Context: Tarmiyah and Northern Baghdad in 2007

A Region Under Strain

By 2007, the U.S. troop surge was in full swing, and much of central Iraq was in violent flux. The rural-urban belt north of Baghdad, including the town of Tarmiyah, was a critical zone in this fight. Situated along major supply and smuggling routes, Tarmiyah became a staging ground for al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and affiliated insurgent groups. These networks used the orchards, farms, and river crossings around the Tigris to move fighters, weapons, and money between Baghdad and the northern provinces.

Map showing the location of Tarmiyah, as well as other surrounding communities, in relation to Baghdad, Iraq, highlighting its proximity to the capital

Insurgent Networks and Safe Havens

AQI militants and local insurgents exploited Tarmiyah’s geography to establish safe houses, bomb-making facilities, and weapons caches. Frequent IED attacks, sniper fire, and ambushes made the area a persistent threat to U.S. patrols and Iraqi officials alike. Insurgents also intimidated local residents, leveraging fear and coercion to maintain freedom of movement. The terrain—an intricate mix of villages, canals, and farmland—provided natural concealment for insurgent operations, forcing coalition units to fight for control of nearly every street and orchard.

Threats to Coalition and Iraqi Control

For coalition commanders, Tarmiyah was more than just another hostile town. Its position astride the Baghdad–Mosul corridor meant that unchecked insurgent activity there could disrupt logistics, endanger convoys, and undermine the fragile gains of the surge strategy. The persistence of AQI safe havens in the “Baghdad Belts” threatened to destabilize the capital itself, reinforcing the urgency to deny insurgents sanctuary.

A U.S. Army soldier from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, keeps watch outside a suspected insurgent house during a raid on Sept. 8 as part of Operation Head Hunter. Conducted alongside Iraqi Army units and other U.S. forces, the operation aimed to eliminate insurgent activity in Tarmiyah, Iraq, and locate and destroy hidden weapons caches

Why Tarmiyah Was Targeted

By late summer 2007, intelligence identified a dense concentration of AQI operatives in Tarmiyah. These networks were not only launching attacks locally but also supporting operations across central Iraq. Coalition planners concluded that a focused, high-intensity sweep was required to dismantle insurgent infrastructure, capture or kill key operatives, and restore freedom of movement to Iraqi civilians. This assessment set the stage for Operation Head Hunter, one of a series of precision counterinsurgency offensives carried out during the surge.

Objectives of Operation Head Hunter

Disrupting Insurgent Networks

By 2007, insurgent groups in Diyala Province had become increasingly audacious, conducting ambushes, mortar attacks, and IED strikes against coalition forces and Iraqi institutions. A primary goal of Operation Head Hunter was to dismantle these networks before they could consolidate control. Intelligence indicated that Tarmiyah and surrounding areas had become staging grounds for insurgents coordinating attacks across the province. Targeting these nodes aimed to disrupt the insurgency’s command and control capabilities.

U.S. Army soldiers from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, clear a room during a raid on Sept. 8 as part of Operation Head Hunter. Conducted alongside Iraqi Army units and other U.S. forces, the operation aimed to remove insurgent activity in Tarmiyah, Iraq, and locate and destroy weapons caches

Seizing Weapons Caches

Insurgents relied on concealed stockpiles of small arms, RPGs, explosives, and mortars hidden in homes, orchards, and abandoned structures. These caches allowed them to sustain operations and strike unpredictably. Operation Head Hunter focused on locating and seizing these weapons, depriving insurgents of critical resources and limiting their operational flexibility.

Denying Sanctuary and Freedom of Movement

Beyond targeted raids and cache seizures, the operation sought to deny insurgents safe havens. By projecting force into Tarmiyah and surrounding areas, coalition forces aimed to restrict insurgent mobility, reduce their ability to regroup, and make the region inhospitable to hostile elements. The overarching goal was to transform insurgent-controlled zones into areas under coalition influence.

A U.S. Army soldier from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, pulls security outside a suspected insurgent house during a raid on Sept. 8 as part of Operation Head Hunter. Conducted alongside Iraqi Army units and other U.S. forces, the operation aimed to clear Tarmiyah, Iraq, of insurgent activity and locate and destroy weapons caches

Securing Key Terrain

Tarmiyah’s strategic location along major routes connecting Baghdad, Mosul, and the Iranian border made it vital for coalition logistics and Iraqi governance. Controlling this terrain ensured safer movement for convoys, reduced opportunities for insurgent disruption, and reinforced coalition influence over critical supply lines.

Integrating Iraqi Security Forces

A core component of the operation was the joint deployment of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) alongside U.S. troops. This partnership accelerated the professional development of Iraqi units while demonstrating to local populations that security responsibilities rested with Iraqi forces as well. Integrating ISF units also aimed to build public confidence in their ability to maintain order independently in the future.

U.S. Army soldiers from Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Ft. Lewis, Washington, clear a stairway during a nighttime raid on Sept. 9 in Tarmiyah, Iraq. The raid targeted a building believed to be used by insurgents as a first-aid station

Units and Forces Involved

U.S. Army Ground Forces

Operation Head Hunter was carried out in Tarmiyah, Iraq, in 2007, primarily by soldiers of Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Infantry and mechanized elements led the raids and cordon-and-search operations that formed the core of the mission. Their efforts included clearing buildings, securing streets, and projecting combat power into neighborhoods that had long served as insurgent strongholds. Engineers provided critical support for breaching, route clearance, and other specialized tasks to ensure troops could move safely and effectively through contested areas.

Iraqi Security Forces Participation

A key component of the operation was the integration of Iraqi Security Forces, including Iraqi Army units working alongside U.S. soldiers. These forces conducted joint patrols, manned checkpoints, and assisted with detainee processing and identity verification. Their involvement reinforced the mission’s dual purpose: improving tactical security while demonstrating to the local population that Iraqi forces were assuming responsibility for maintaining order.

U.S. Army soldiers from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, make entry into a suspected insurgent house during a raid on Sept. 8 as part of Operation Head Hunter

Aviation and Reconnaissance Assets

Army aviation provided crucial support throughout the operation. UH-60 Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches offered rapid mobility, command oversight, casualty evacuation, and close air support as needed. Reconnaissance teams, including UAVs and human intelligence assets, identified insurgent safehouses and weapons caches ahead of ground operations, enhancing mission effectiveness and minimizing risk to soldiers.

Logistics and Sustainment

Sustaining combat operations in Tarmiyah required robust logistics support. Convoys delivered fuel, water, ammunition, and other essential supplies to maintain operational tempo. Engineers also helped secure supply routes leading into Tarmiyah, reducing the threat of ambushes and ensuring that U.S. and Iraqi forces could continue their coordinated operations without interruption.

An exhausted U.S. Army soldier takes a brief rest before heading out on another mission during Operation Head Hunter on Sept. 8. Conducted alongside Iraqi Army units, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, and other U.S. forces, the operation aimed to clear Tarmiyah, Iraq, of insurgent activity and locate and destroy weapons caches

Launch of the Operation

Setting the Stage

Operation Head Hunter commenced in 2007 as coalition commanders in Tarmiyah, Iraq, sought to dismantle entrenched insurgent cells threatening local security. The mission was part of a broader campaign to extend U.S. and Iraqi government control into areas where militant networks had established strongholds, disrupt insurgent operations, and secure critical lines of communication.

Initial Movements

The operation began with rapid movements by Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Accompanied by Iraqi Army units, coalition forces first established blocking positions around suspected insurgent compounds and key escape routes. This cordon-and-contain approach was essential to prevent fighters from fleeing or regrouping in nearby areas.

A U.S. Army soldier from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Ft. Lewis, Washington, searches for contraband in a suspected insurgent house during Operation Head Hunter on Sept. 8

Tactics on the Ground

Cordon-and-search operations formed the backbone of the mission. Soldiers systematically cleared houses, buildings, and compounds believed to harbor weapons caches, insurgent leaders, or support networks. Intelligence from UAVs, reconnaissance teams, and local sources guided these raids, allowing forces to prioritize high-value targets. Mounted and dismounted patrols supplemented the raids, interdicting insurgent movement and demonstrating coalition control over the contested neighborhoods.

Operating Environment

Tarmiyah’s terrain posed significant challenges. Dense housing, narrow streets, and surrounding agricultural canals offered insurgents multiple avenues for ambush and escape. Troops faced constant threats from small-arms fire, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and booby-trapped structures. Despite these hazards, U.S. and Iraqi forces leveraged superior coordination, mobility, and firepower to maintain operational momentum, keeping insurgent networks off balance and asserting control over the area.

A U.S. Army soldier from Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Ft. Lewis, Washington, pulls security while fellow soldiers clear a building during a nighttime raid on Sept. 9 in Tarmiyah, Iraq. The raid targeted a building believed to be used by insurgents as a first-aid station

Fighting and Raids

Clashes with Insurgents

Operation Head Hunter involved multiple direct engagements with insurgent fighters entrenched in Tarmiyah. U.S. Army soldiers from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, faced sporadic small-arms fire, occasional RPG attacks, and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during cordon-and-search operations. While insurgent resistance varied by neighborhood, the coalition’s aggressive sweep strategy kept enemy forces on the defensive, limiting their ability to organize counterattacks.

Discovery of Weapons Caches and Contraband

A critical component of the operation was the identification and seizure of insurgent resources. Soldiers uncovered numerous weapons caches, including small arms, RPGs, mortars, explosives, and ammunition hidden in homes, outbuildings, and abandoned compounds. Alongside these materials, troops discovered insurgent propaganda and operational planning documents, providing valuable intelligence for follow-on operations and helping to disrupt local insurgent networks.

A U.S. Army soldier from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, pulls security inside a suspected insurgent house during a raid on Sept. 8 as part of Operation Head Hunter

Aftermath and Immediate Results

Insurgent Losses and Captured Materials

Operation Head Hunter dealt a significant blow to insurgent capabilities in Tarmiyah. Coalition forces neutralized several active fighters during raids and captured numerous weapons caches, including small arms, RPGs, mortars, explosives, and related materials. The operation also yielded propaganda and operational planning documents, disrupting the insurgents’ command and control networks and providing actionable intelligence for subsequent missions.

Impact on Insurgent Operations in Diyala

The combined effect of targeted raids, weapons seizures, and the denial of safe havens disrupted insurgent operations across Tarmiyah and surrounding areas. With key leaders removed from the field and caches destroyed or confiscated, insurgents faced decreased operational flexibility and greater difficulty coordinating attacks. The operation also demonstrated the coalition’s ability to project force rapidly and effectively, signaling to insurgent networks that their movements and plans were vulnerable to U.S. and Iraqi oversight.

With a look of determination, Pfc. Daniel Faith of Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, prepares for his squad’s first mission of Operation Head Hunter on Sept. 8

Reactions from Local Population and Coalition Forces

For the local population, the operation’s presence was a mixed experience. While some residents expressed relief at the reduction in insurgent activity and the removal of weapons from their neighborhoods, others remained wary of coalition forces operating in densely populated areas. For U.S. and Iraqi units, Operation Head Hunter reinforced the value of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations. The engagement strengthened working relationships between coalition and Iraqi forces, built confidence in Iraqi security capabilities, and underscored the importance of continued vigilance in counterinsurgency operations.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

Role in the Broader Counterinsurgency Campaign

Operation Head Hunter represented a key component of the coalition’s broader counterinsurgency efforts in Diyala Province. By targeting insurgent cells, seizing weapons caches, and denying safe havens, the operation contributed to a larger strategy aimed at stabilizing urban centers and disrupting militant networks before they could consolidate power. The lessons learned in Tarmiyah informed future operations throughout the province, emphasizing the integration of intelligence, mobility, and joint coalition-Iraqi coordination.

An Iraqi Army soldier stands watch over worshipers in a mosque after a raid by his platoon during Operation Head Hunter. Conducted alongside U.S. forces, the operation aimed to clear Tarmiyah, Iraq, of insurgent activity and locate and destroy weapons caches

Importance of Intelligence-Driven Raids

One of the enduring takeaways from Operation Head Hunter was the critical value of actionable intelligence. UAV reconnaissance, human intelligence, and prior surveillance allowed coalition forces to focus their raids on high-value targets, minimizing risk to troops and reducing collateral impact. The operation demonstrated that precision-guided, intelligence-led tactics were far more effective than broad, generalized sweeps in countering an adaptive insurgency.

Foundation for Larger-Scale Operations

The success of Head Hunter laid the groundwork for subsequent, larger-scale operations in Diyala. By disrupting insurgent networks and building the capacity of Iraqi Security Forces, the operation helped set conditions for extended coalition presence and more ambitious missions in the region. The coordination, tactics, and lessons gleaned from this operation became a template for future efforts aimed at regaining control of contested urban and rural areas, reinforcing the importance of combined U.S.-Iraqi operations in the ongoing campaign.