Operation Wolfhound Fury II: Rifles, Rations, and Rebuilding in Sudayera

The Dual Nature of Combat

A Nation on the Brink of a New Beginning

In January 2005, Iraq stood at a historic crossroads. For the first time in decades, the Iraqi people were preparing to cast ballots in a nationwide democratic election—a bold, fragile step toward self-governance after years of dictatorship and war. But the road to the polls was treacherous. Across the country, insurgents aligned with former regime loyalists and jihadist networks were escalating attacks in a desperate attempt to derail the process through fear and violence.

Amid this volatile backdrop, coalition forces launched a series of synchronized operations designed to secure key regions ahead of the January 30 election. One of the most strategically timed was Operation Wolfhound Fury II, a mission that unfolded over 72 critical hours in the rural, insurgent-contested region of Sudayera, just north of Baghdad.

Spc. Thomas Golden, a team leader with Company C, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, mans an M240B machine gun atop a building as fellow Soldiers prepare for day missions during Operation Wolfhound Fury II. Over the course of the 72-hour operation, TF 1-27 Infantry detained 32 suspected terrorists.

The Wolfhounds of 1-27 IN: Leading the Charge

At the heart of the mission was Task Force 1-27 Infantry, a battalion of the famed 25th Infantry Division, nicknamed the “Wolfhounds.” Renowned for their adaptability, grit, and aggressive patrolling tactics, the Wolfhounds had been operating in northern Iraq as part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th ID.

During Operation Wolfhound Fury II, the task force deployed Company B and supporting elements into Sudayera with a clear directive: neutralize insurgent elements threatening the stability of the region and prepare the battlespace for secure elections. But unlike earlier missions defined solely by kinetic engagements, this operation carried another equally vital mission profile—winning over the civilian population.

Beyond Bullets: A Two-Pronged Mission

While one arm of the task force conducted cordon-and-search operations, detained 32 suspected insurgents, and swept for weapons caches, the other focused on humanitarian assistance. This dual-purpose approach reflected a growing understanding within the coalition: counterinsurgency wasn’t just about combat—it was about trust.

Over three days, the Wolfhounds worked alongside civil affairs teams, engineers, and Iraqi partners to deliver food, medical aid, and essential services to Sudayera’s residents. This blend of combat operations and community outreach became a hallmark of successful operations in Iraq’s rural corridors—where insurgents often thrived in the vacuum of local governance.

Capt. Jeramy Hopkins, civil-military operations officer for Task Force 1-27 Infantry, discusses future reconstruction projects with the muqtar of the Sudayera area over a traditional Arab meal on January 22

Setting the Tone for Success

As Operation Wolfhound Fury II kicked off, its timing and intent were unmistakable. With election day just around the corner, the Wolfhounds were tasked with clearing the terrain, both physically and psychologically. Every detained insurgent, every destroyed IED cell, and every grateful family that received aid contributed to a singular strategic goal: stabilize the region so Iraqis could safely choose their future.

The operation would go on to demonstrate that modern warfare—especially in the context of insurgency—demands more than rifles and firepower. It requires restraint, relief, and a willingness to fight not just for ground, but for the people who live on it.

Tactical Objectives: Raids and Detentions

Striking First: Preempting the Insurgent Threat

As Operation Wolfhound Fury II unfolded, Task Force 1-27 Infantry’s primary tactical goal was unmistakable: find and dismantle insurgent networks before they could strike. In the days leading up to Iraq’s January 30 elections, intelligence indicated that Sudayera—a rural village with strategic access routes—had become a staging ground for improvised explosive device (IED) teams, safe houses, and anti-coalition cells.

In response, the Wolfhounds launched a series of precision raids targeting suspected insurgent hideouts. These operations relied on a mix of human intelligence, signal intercepts, and local tips, allowing TF 1-27 Infantry to move rapidly from one objective to the next with minimal warning to the enemy.

Spc. Mark Gunthrope, a radio transmission operator with Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, applies flexi-cuffs to a suspected terrorist following a raid on January 23 in Tagtag, Iraq during the 72-hour Operation Wolfhound Fury II.

72 Hours, 32 Detainees: Measurable Impact

Over the course of three intense days, the task force executed multiple cordon-and-search operations, detaining 32 suspected terrorists. Each arrest was a calculated move to disrupt planned attacks on polling stations, Iraqi government workers, and coalition patrols.

Precision in Execution, Strategic in Timing

The raids weren’t just about removing bad actors; they were timed to maximize psychological disruption. Conducted in the days immediately preceding the election, these arrests fractured local insurgent coordination, sending a clear message: coalition forces were not just present—they were watching, capable, and two steps ahead.

By sweeping up suspected bomb-makers, facilitators, and cell leaders, TF 1-27 deprived the enemy of the initiative. Insurgent groups that once operated with impunity in Sudayera found their movements monitored, their hideouts compromised, and their networks exposed. For the Iraqi civilians who had long suffered under the threat of retribution, the arrests also delivered a visible sign that order was returning, one arrest at a time.

Spc. Mark Gunthrope, a radio transmission operator, and Spc. Michael Mucha, an M14 gunner, both with Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, guard two detainees at their patrol base on January 22 in Sudayera, Iraq

Operational Precision, Human Responsibility

Even amid aggressive combat maneuvers, soldiers were reminded that every detainee was also a human being. Rules of engagement were closely followed, and detainees were processed in accordance with coalition protocols. Soldiers balanced vigilance with professionalism, ensuring detainees were guarded firmly but fairly while intelligence teams assessed their links to insurgent activities.

Winning Hearts and Minds: Civil Affairs at the Forefront

Beyond the Battlefield: A Dual Mission

While Task Force 1-27 Infantry carried out tactical raids with precision and force, Operation Wolfhound Fury II was never envisioned as a purely kinetic operation. In keeping with the evolving nature of counterinsurgency warfare in Iraq, the mission also prioritized civil affairs outreach, humanitarian relief, and community rebuilding efforts.

The goal was clear: disrupt insurgents, but empower the people. Coalition leaders understood that victory in Sudayera would not come from arrests alone—but from earning the trust of a population caught between fear and hope.

1st Lt. John Rudio, a platoon leader, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Zoellner, a fire observer team chief, both with Company C, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, purchase items at an Arab market on January 23 in Heychel, Iraq. As part of the 72-hour Operation Wolfhound Fury II, TF 1-27 Infantry Soldiers bought hundreds of dollars’ worth of local goods to donate to needy Iraqi families

Medical Aid for a War-Weary Population

During the 72-hour operation, coalition medics and civil affairs (CA) teams provided direct medical care to local Iraqis. In a village with limited access to healthcare and chronic distrust of government institutions, even basic treatment carried symbolic weight.

Soldiers treated everything from respiratory infections to minor injuries, reassuring families that American troops weren’t just there to take prisoners—they were also there to heal wounds, mend relationships, and offer help where the state had long failed. The presence of combat medics in aid tents—rather than just on patrol—helped bridge the gulf between occupier and protector.

Thousands of Pounds of Humanitarian Aid Delivered

According to the official DVIDS report, TF 1-27 Soldiers delivered thousands of pounds of humanitarian supplies to the people of Sudayera. These included food staples, bottled water, blankets, clothing, and hygiene items, all carefully packaged and distributed under the protection of U.S. security elements.

Aid convoys rolled into neighborhoods that had once been hotbeds of insurgent activity—now guarded and calm—and handed relief directly to local residents. In these moments, soldiers weren’t just warriors; they were ambassadors of stability, building goodwill in places where anti-coalition sentiment had once flourished.

Capt. Jeramy Hopkins (bottom right), civil military operations officer for Task Force 1-27 Infantry, and Maj. David Ford (top center), team leader with Provisional Company A, 385th Civil Affairs Brigade, listen to the muqtar of Sudayera (to the left of Maj. Ford) during a meeting about future reconstruction projects in the area on January 22

Engineers on a Different Mission: Rebuilding What Was Broken

While infantry and scouts hunted weapons caches, combat engineers and CA personnel turned their attention to something else: infrastructure. Roads, schools, irrigation systems, and power grids in Sudayera had all suffered from neglect, sabotage, and years of war.

U.S. Army engineers conducted on-the-ground assessments, identifying key needs and planning future reconstruction projects. In several locations, immediate repairs were made to roads and utility lines, while others were cataloged for larger contracts involving Iraqi labor. These tangible improvements sent a clear message: where insurgents sowed destruction, coalition forces came to restore.

Hearts Won, Influence Gained

By combining hard power with humanitarian outreach, Operation Wolfhound Fury II stood out as a model of population-centric counterinsurgency. Every child treated, every food bag delivered, every broken pipe repaired undermined insurgent propaganda and gave locals reason to believe that a better future—one not dictated by fear or violence—was possible.

In Sudayera, even as Soldiers carried rifles and detained fighters, they also extended hands, shared supplies, and listened. And in doing so, they built something just as critical as security: credibility.

Sgt. Jason Reyes, a team leader with Company C, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, pulls security near a patrol base while moving concertina wire away from a sheep herd on January 21 in Heychel, Iraq

The Role of Company B, TF 1-27 INF

Frontline Fighters and First Responders

At the center of Operation Wolfhound Fury II stood Company B of Task Force 1-27 Infantry, a force tasked with executing both the combat-focused and humanitarian aspects of the mission. Over the course of 72 hours, Company B moved seamlessly between tactical raids and civil outreach, demonstrating the adaptability and professionalism required in counterinsurgency operations.

Their presence was felt across Sudayera, from conducting high-risk sweeps of insurgent hideouts to distributing life-saving aid to local families.

Kinetic Precision: Disrupting Insurgent Networks

Company B was instrumental in carrying out targeted raids on suspected insurgent locations. These operations led to the detention of 32 suspected terrorists, significantly disrupting insurgent activity in the region ahead of the national elections.

Each raid was grounded in intelligence and carried out with speed and discipline, highlighting Company B’s ability to execute precision operations under pressure. These actions weakened insurgent infrastructure and curtailed plans to disrupt Iraq’s fragile democratic process.

Soldiers from Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, search the belongings of a suspected terrorist lying on the ground on January 23 in Tagtag, Iraq. During the 72-hour Operation Wolfhound Fury II, TF 1-27 Infantry detained 32 suspected terrorists

Compassion in the Ranks: Humanitarian Outreach

Beyond combat, Company B also supported extensive humanitarian efforts, delivering medical care, clean water, food, and essential supplies to civilians caught in the crossfire of insurgency. Working in tandem with civil affairs teams and engineers, they helped stabilize key infrastructure and built trust with the local population.

These efforts weren’t just symbolic—they were practical demonstrations of goodwill, showing residents that coalition forces were invested in their security and recovery, not just their compliance.

Company B: A Model of Counterinsurgency Integration

In both action and attitude, Company B exemplified the operational goals of Wolfhound Fury II. Their dual role execution, tactically aggressive yet community focused, served as a model for integrated counterinsurgency strategy. Through their work, they helped shift the narrative in Sudayera from fear to cautious optimism.

Company B didn’t just suppress insurgents—they helped lay the groundwork for a safer, more stable election season, proving that success in modern warfare depends on both power projection and meaningful local engagement.

Soldiers from Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, search through bags of sheep fur for illegal weapons during a raid on the home of a suspected terrorist on January 23 in Tagtag, Iraq

Securing the Elections: Strategic Timing

A Nation on the Brink of Democratic Transition

In January 2005, Iraq stood on the precipice of its first democratic parliamentary elections since the fall of Saddam Hussein. The vote, scheduled for January 30, was not just a political milestone—it was a symbol of national rebirth. But this historic moment was under constant threat. Insurgent groups, aware of the symbolic and strategic importance of the elections, launched a concerted campaign of violence and intimidation aimed at derailing the democratic process.

Insurgents Target the Vote

Insurgent tactics included car bombings, assassinations of election officials, and coordinated attacks on polling stations and voter registration centers. Their goal was clear: to suppress voter turnout, delegitimize the emerging Iraqi government, and portray coalition forces as unable to provide security. In rural areas like Sudayera, where local governance was fragile and coalition presence thin, the risks were especially acute.

On Iraq’s Election Day, January 30, 2005, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division engaged insurgents in sporadic and short gunfights throughout the city of BaQubah

Wolfhound Fury II: A Preemptive Strike

Operation Wolfhound Fury II was deliberately timed in the final days leading up to the election. Conducted over 72 hours, the operation aimed to disrupt insurgent networks before they could stage attacks. By targeting suspected IED cells, detaining potential saboteurs, and reinforcing a security presence in the area, Task Force 1-27 Infantry helped neutralize threats before they could materialize.

Stabilizing the Rural Periphery

While major cities like Baghdad and Mosul drew international attention, rural regions such as Sudayera were equally vital to electoral integrity. Operations like Wolfhound Fury II extended the security umbrella beyond urban centers, ensuring that insurgents could not use the countryside as a staging ground for attacks. In doing so, the operation contributed not only to tactical gains, but to the broader strategic goal of enabling safe, credible elections across Iraq.

Soldiers from Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, rest inside a classroom of a vacant school in Sudayera, which served as the company’s patrol base during Operation Wolfhound Fury II

Aftermath and Legacy

Tactical Success: Disrupting Insurgent Capabilities

The immediate outcome of Operation Wolfhound Fury II was measurable and significant. Over the course of 72 hours, Task Force 1-27 Infantry detained 32 individuals suspected of participating in insurgent activities. Many were believed to be involved in the manufacturing or deployment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), while others were facilitators providing safe houses, logistics, or intelligence to enemy cells. These detentions disrupted the local insurgent network, reducing its ability to stage attacks in the critical pre-election window.

Community Impact: Building Credibility Through Action

While the operation’s kinetic success was important, its long-term value came through the humanitarian outreach. Coalition forces didn’t just remove threats—they delivered tangible support to the local population. Thousands of pounds of humanitarian aid were distributed, and civil affairs teams conducted health checks, infrastructure assessments, and repairs. For many residents of Sudayera, this marked a turning point. Coalition forces were no longer seen solely as a foreign military presence, but as partners willing to invest in community well-being.

Sgt. Jon Mhoon, a forward observer, and Pfc. Jon Dibblee, an assistant gunner, both with Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, pass time around a kerosene heater inside their patrol base in Sudayera, Iraq, on January 22

A Turning Point in Counterinsurgency Strategy

Operation Wolfhound Fury II highlighted a key evolution in U.S. military doctrine in Iraq. Rather than rely solely on kinetic force, the mission integrated civil affairs, engineering support, and local engagement into its planning and execution. It demonstrated that defeating insurgency required more than raids and arrests—it demanded the protection and empowerment of the population. In this way, the operation became a model for future efforts across Iraq, blending security with stabilization in equal measure.

Conclusion — The Real Face of Counterinsurgency

Balancing Force with Compassion

Operation Wolfhound Fury II illustrated the delicate balance required in modern counterinsurgency operations. Success depended not only on tactical skill and precise targeting of insurgent networks but also on winning the trust of local communities. Soldiers had to be warriors and helpers simultaneously—applying force where necessary, while offering aid and reassurance to civilians caught in the crossfire.

Sgt. Napoleon Gonzalez, a team leader with Company B, Task Force 1-27 Infantry, holds up a photograph of an Iraqi man found during a raid inside the home of a suspected terrorist on January 23 in Tagtag, Iraq. During the 72-hour Operation Wolfhound Fury II, TF 1-27 Infantry detained 32 suspected terrorists

A Microcosm of Modern Warfare in Iraq

This operation embodied the complexities and contradictions of the Iraq War. In places like Sudayera, the battlefield was not simply a matter of opposing forces trading fire; it was a struggle for influence over hearts and minds. As one succinct expression captures, the troops carried “a rifle in one hand, relief supplies in the other.” This dual approach was essential to undermining insurgent influence and paving the way for a more stable, democratic Iraq.