Operation Rock Jackhammer & Rock Reaper: Restoring Security in Diyala

Strategic Landscape: The Diyala Campaign Context

Insurgent Stronghold: The Rise of Diyala as a Focal Point

By late 2006, insurgent groups—most notably al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), later declaring Baqubah the capital of the Islamic State of Iraq—had transformed Diyala province into a stronghold. They fortified the region via observation posts, booby-trapped homes, training camps, and supply bases, turning it into one of Iraq’s most violent zones.

Soldiers of 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., conduct a security halt while scanning the area in the village of Sufeit, Diyala province, Iraq, on November 30

Operation Phantom Thunder: The Coordinated Campaign Begins

Launched in mid-June 2007, Operation Phantom Thunder marked a major corps-level offensive aimed at regaining control across Iraq’s most contested regions. Under this umbrella, several operations were initiated, including Arrowhead Ripper in Diyala—each with the goal of dismantling insurgent safe havens and reestablishing government presence.

Arrowhead Ripper: Retaking Baqubah

Operation Arrowhead Ripper commenced on June 19, 2007, as a large-scale offensive spearheaded by the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Supported by Iraqi forces and other U.S. brigades, it employed rapid air assaults, Stryker formations, and overwhelming firepower to wrestle Baqubah back from AQI. The assault displaced insurgents, eliminated over 100 fighters, detained hundreds, and neutralized numerous IEDs and weapons caches.

Soldiers from the 5th Iraqi Army Division run through a smoke screen in Baqubah, Iraq, on June 22, as U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., follow. This action was part of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a joint effort between U.S. and Iraqi security forces to defeat al-Qaida and secure the city

Lightning Hammer: Sweeping the Periphery

Building on the gains of Arrowhead Ripper, Operation Lightning Hammer kicked off in August 2007. This operation extended the campaign to rural areas northeast of Baqubah, targeting fleeing insurgent cells and secondary sanctuaries in the Diyala River Valley. Thousands of coalition and Iraqi troops swept through, seizing weapon caches and disrupting remaining militant networks.

A Combined Strategy: Clearing, Holding, Rebuilding

These coordinated operations represent a layered counterinsurgency approach: clear insurgent-held areas, hold them through increased security presence and Iraqi force empowerment, and build local confidence through stabilization and governance. Establishing the Diyala Operations Center in mid-2007 improved coordination among Iraqi army units, police, and coalition forces.

Local children from Sheik Mazen Village, Iraq, in the Diyala River Valley, follow coalition forces from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, as they return to their vehicles after clearing operations during Operation Lightning Hammer on August 17

Purpose and Objectives of the Operations

Disrupting Insurgent Networks

Both Rock Jackhammer and Rock Reaper were designed to directly target insurgent elements operating in Diyala province. By striking at suspected safe houses, training sites, and movement corridors, coalition forces aimed to fracture the networks that enabled attacks on Iraqi civilians, security forces, and coalition patrols.

Dismantling Weapons Caches

A central objective was locating and eliminating weapons stockpiles. These caches often contained rifles, mortars, explosives, and improvised explosive device (IED) components. Removing them reduced the insurgents’ ability to conduct coordinated attacks and improved day-to-day security for surrounding villages.

Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., pull security while their team searches houses in the village of Sufeit, Diyala province, Iraq, for terrorist activity and weapons caches during Operation Rock Jackhammer on November 30

Reasserting Government Presence

The operations reinforced Iraqi governmental authority in areas where insurgent influence had created fear and instability. Coalition patrols worked in tandem with Iraqi forces, signaling a permanent shift from militant dominance to state-led security and governance.

Restoring Civilian Confidence

Beyond tactical goals, Rock Jackhammer and Rock Reaper sought to rebuild trust between local populations and security forces. By maintaining a visible presence, engaging directly with residents, and removing immediate threats, the missions aimed to demonstrate that stability was achievable and sustainable.

A soldier from Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, shakes hands with an Iraqi child during clearing operations in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, on December 14, as part of Operation Rock Reaper

Operation Rock Jackhammer: Clearing Sufeit

Launching the Assault

On November 30, 2007, Operation Rock Jackhammer began with an air assault into the village of Sufeit, in Diyala province. Troops were inserted by helicopter, including CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Black Hawks, allowing forces to rapidly establish a foothold in the area.

Methodical House-to-House Searches

Once on the ground, Soldiers conducted systematic searches of homes and compounds. The goal was to uncover insurgent activity, detain suspects, and identify weapons caches that could be used in future attacks. This approach reflected the precision style of clearing operations developed during the Diyala campaign—emphasizing thoroughness while minimizing civilian disruption.

Soldiers patrol through the village of Sufeit in Diyala province, Iraq, on November 30, as part of Operation Rock Jackhammer

Air-Ground Coordination

Helicopter support and aerial reconnaissance played a critical role throughout the mission. Air assets provided both rapid insertion and overwatch, helping ground forces maintain security and react quickly to potential insurgent counterattacks.

Impact on Sufeit

By the end of the operation, coalition forces had successfully disrupted insurgent presence in Sufeit. Clearing operations like Rock Jackhammer not only reduced immediate threats but also allowed for longer-term stabilization measures, such as reintroducing local governance and enabling safer civilian movement in the area.

Soldiers monitor the streets of Sufeit, Diyala province, Iraq, on November 30, during fires that erupted while the village was cleared in Operation Rock Jackhammer

Operation Rock Reaper: Securing Hadid

Launching the Mission

Just two weeks after Rock Jackhammer, Operation Rock Reaper commenced on December 14, 2007, targeting the town of Hadid, located west of Baqubah. The operation extended over several days and represented a continuation of the momentum coalition forces were building throughout Diyala province.

Comprehensive Clearing Efforts

Troops systematically cleared more than 150 homes, shops, and outbuildings. These searches aimed not only to disrupt insurgent networks but also to reassure residents that coalition forces were committed to restoring safety and stability in their community.

Soldiers provide security while moving through a field before conducting a clearing operation in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, on Dec. 14. The operation targeted the "Iron Triangle," a suspected al-Qaida stronghold, and involved coordinated efforts by 1-38 Infantry and 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment

Major Discoveries

During the sweeps, Soldiers uncovered a suspected training camp tied to al-Qaida affiliates. The site contained significant contraband, including completed suicide vests, mortar rounds, and materials that could be used for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). The discovery highlighted Hadid’s role as a logistical hub for insurgent activity in the region.

Detentions and Disruption

Multiple suspects were detained for further questioning, effectively removing key insurgent operatives from the area. This disruption of enemy networks curtailed their ability to coordinate attacks, produce IEDs, and intimidate civilians.

Soldiers secure detainees captured during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, on Dec. 14

Civilian Reactions

Despite the intensity of the operation, many Hadid residents greeted Soldiers with smiles and waves. The community’s largely positive response suggested that locals recognized the effort as a step toward reclaiming daily life from insurgent control.

Methods and Tactics Employed

Air-Ground Synchronization

Both Rock Jackhammer and Rock Reaper relied heavily on the integration of air and ground assets. Troop insertions by helicopters provided mobility, flexibility, and the element of surprise, while ground forces carried out the painstaking task of securing terrain structure by structure.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, load into CH-47 Chinook helicopters at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, Nov. 30, in support of Operation Rock Jackhammer. The air assault conducted a clearing mission in the village of Sufeit, Diyala province

Rock Jackhammer: Speed and Surprise

Rock Jackhammer was designed as a rapid air assault into Sufeit. Using CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Black Hawks, Soldiers were able to enter the village quickly, giving insurgents little time to organize resistance or relocate weapons caches. The tempo emphasized shock, speed, and overwhelming presence.

Rock Reaper: Systematic Clearing

By contrast, Rock Reaper placed greater emphasis on deliberate, intelligence-driven sweeps. Forces moved methodically through Hadid, searching more than 150 structures. The slower pace allowed for more thorough searches and a higher probability of uncovering hidden contraband, explosives, and insurgent safe havens.

Coalition forces wave to local children from rooftops during clearing operation Rock Reaper in Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14. Residents of Hadid largely greeted the forces with smiles and waves during the three-day operation, which cleared the town of weapons, improvised explosive device-making materials, and individuals wanted for questioning

Intelligence Integration

Both operations showcased the growing importance of actionable intelligence in counterinsurgency campaigns. Information from local residents, combined with coalition reconnaissance, directed Soldiers toward specific targets—such as suspected training camps or concealed weapons stockpiles.

Civil-Military Balance

Beyond combat tactics, both missions demonstrated a dual focus on security and civilian engagement. Patrols maintained visible contact with residents, reinforcing the message that operations were not only about clearing insurgents but also about protecting communities and restoring order.

Soldiers patrol the streets of Sufeit, Diyala province, Iraq, Nov. 30, conducting house-to-house clearing operations during Operation Rock Jackhammer

Immediate Outcomes and Effects on Security

Neutralizing Insurgent Networks

Operation Rock Jackhammer significantly weakened insurgent footholds in the rural village of Sufeit. By conducting surprise air assaults and intensive searches, coalition forces disrupted safe havens where fighters had been storing weapons and coordinating activities.

Removal of Weapons and Explosives

Operation Rock Reaper uncovered large amounts of contraband in Hadid, including completed suicide vests, mortar rounds, bomb-making components, and materials for potential vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. These discoveries represented a direct blow to insurgent capabilities and reduced the immediate threat of attacks on both civilians and coalition forces.

A soldier scans for threats after nearby small-arms fire in the village of Sufeit, Diyala province, Iraq, Nov. 30, during Operation Rock Jackhammer

Detentions and Intelligence Gains

Both operations led to the detention of multiple individuals suspected of insurgent ties. These detentions not only removed potential threats from the battlefield but also generated intelligence opportunities to identify wider networks operating in Diyala province.

Civilian Reception

In Hadid, residents greeted coalition forces with smiles and waves, marking a notable shift in local sentiment. This acceptance was a crucial indicator of progress, showing that the population recognized the benefits of improved security and was willing to engage positively with the presence of coalition troops.

A detainee is escorted through the streets of Hadid, Iraq, just west of Baqubah, Dec. 14, during clearing Operation Rock Reaper, which resulted in dozens of captures over the three-day mission

Short-Term Stability

While neither operation was a final solution to the region’s instability, both contributed to reducing immediate risks and provided the foundation for longer-term stabilization efforts. The visible decline in insurgent activity following these missions reinforced the value of sustained offensive pressure in Diyala.

Legacy and Role in Broader Stability Efforts

Strengthening the Diyala Campaign

Operations Rock Jackhammer and Rock Reaper played pivotal roles within the larger Diyala campaign, reinforcing earlier offensives like Arrowhead Ripper and Lightning Hammer. By focusing on contested population centers, these missions helped consolidate coalition control in regions where insurgent influence had remained persistent.

Soldiers patrol the village of Sufeit, Diyala province, Iraq, Nov. 30, clearing houses for weapons caches and suspected insurgents during Operation Rock Jackhammer

Impact on Local Populations

Beyond removing weapons caches and detaining suspects, the operations sent a visible signal of government and coalition commitment to restoring order. The positive reception of coalition forces in Hadid suggested that local populations were beginning to view security operations not as intrusions, but as essential steps toward rebuilding normal life. These interactions helped strengthen trust and laid the groundwork for broader community cooperation in subsequent stabilization efforts.

Foundations for Long-Term Security

Although challenges remained, Rock Jackhammer and Rock Reaper reduced immediate threats and created space for follow-on efforts in governance, reconstruction, and economic activity. By denying insurgents access to safe havens and supply chains, the missions established conditions necessary for lasting stability. Taken together, the operations exemplified a counterinsurgency model that integrated tactical precision with community engagement, demonstrating that security and stability must advance hand in hand to achieve enduring peace.