SOF (Special Operations Forces) soldiers:
“Bill,” 314–18, 322–23
“Doug,” 284, 286
“Jack,” 49–56, 58, 60, 65–66, 125, 130–33, 140–41, 146–47, 151, 178, 188, 197, 199, 325–26, 333
“John,” 199, 213–14, 223, 238, 255, 261–64, 271, 284–92, 296–97, 300–301, 307–14, 316–26, 333, 382
“Kelly,” 199, 238, 262, 284
“Liam,” 382
“Matt,” 49, 199
SOF (Special Operations Forces) surgeon, “Mark,” 326–27
Sorrels, Brian, 303
Camp Speicher, 221, 230, 338
SSO (Special Security Office), 26, 28, 107, 255, 261, 299
Standish, Jason, 303
Stannard, Matt, 372, 377
Steckler, Ryan, 224–29
Stephenson, Edward, 190–91
Stern, 87, 97
Stink Wadi, 149
Stop Loss, 81
Stouffer, Mark, 49, 51–53, 59–65, 67, 85, 97, 103, 113, 126–27, 130, 134, 140, 152, 169, 172, 182, 187, 214, 220, 223–24, 226, 235, 240, 246–47, 256, 287, 294, 300, 305–7, 315, 318, 330–32, 341, 359, 362, 368
Street of the Forty, 26, 44, 367
Stursma, Chad, 384-87
Sultan, Thamar, 293, 295
al-Sumadie Ossam Ali Hussein, 257
Summerfield, Robert, 383–87
Summers, Matt, 65, 306–7
Swartworth, Sharon, 244–45
Swayze, Patrick, 316
Syria, 55, 71–72, 243, 264
T
Tapp, Eric, 62, 64
Tatro, Jason, 29
Tayfel, Patrick, 380–81
Taylor, Larry, 29
Tenorio, Cesar, 306–7
terrorists, 32, 157, 160, 236, 406
Thomas, Scott, 25, 179, 202, 205–6, 343–44, 379, 407, 425
Thompson:
Anthony O., 182
Phil, 243, 245–47, 255
Three Tier strategy, 45, 50–51, 119, 255, 325–26
Time, 86–87, 111, 235
Tran, Xuan, 268–69, 271
Trujillo, Michael, 302–4, 366
U
Ur, 40
Uribe, Ricardo, 85
V
Vargas, Rodrigo, 117, 335–36, 338, 342, 358
Velez, William, 209–10
Venegas, Luis, 249, 374–76
Venetz, Anthony, 403–5
Virginia Military Institute, 46
W
Waal, Ibrihim, 177
Wagner, Mike, 68–69, 316, 362, 379, 403, 407
Waheeb:
Mohammed Abdul Karim, 297–98
Mahmood Abdul Karim, 297–98
Walden, Jospeh, 80–81, 203
Walker, Brandon, 64
Washington Post, 73, 137–38
Weaver, Joseph, 353
Weber, Matt, 29–30, 57, 192
Wells, Jason, 128
Werts, Jason, 224, 226–28
Wheeler, Donald Laverne, Jr. “DJ,” 208–11, 403
Whitson, Joshua, 80
Williams, Joe, 170–71
Wilmoski, Conrad, 360–61
Wilson, Larry, 307, 316, 323, 384
Woempner, Mark, 19, 21–23, 27, 31–32, 34–35, 70, 293
Wolfowitz, Paul, 144, 217–20
Wright:
Christopher, 171
James C., 182
Wycoff, Ronald, 306–7
Y
Yslas, Stephen, 117, 335
Z
al-Zarqawi, Abu Musab, 382, 403
Zasadny, Paula, 395–97, 425
Ziana, Daher, 124
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STEVE RUSSELL served 21 years in the United States Army as an infantry officer, deploying operationally to Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. During his command of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, he was widely covered during the first year of the Iraq war by TIME, CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC, AP and Reuters. He and his unit were featured in BBC Panorama’s Saddam on the Run documentary as well as Discovery’s Ace in the Hole. He has also been the subject of numerous books and publications. Russell retired from the Army in 2006 to return to his native state of Oklahoma, where he has advocated nationally for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been a featured speaker at events across the United States, in Canada, and in Europe. Russell lives in Oklahoma with his wife and five children.
Within Saddam’s security groups, he also had personal bodyguards in two subgroups known as the “Forty” and the “Twenty-Five.” To Saddam’s right is his number one personal bodyguard, Adnan Abid Al-Musslit.
Hussein family photos captured by 1-22 Infantry
Saddam with his close confidant Mohammed Al-Musslit. Musslit, a relative unknown to Western intelligence, would prove to be the key to finding Saddam.
Hussein family photos captured by 1-22 Infantry
Although Saddam’s residence took three JDAM Missile hits, it was amazingly strong. While gutted and charred, the building was largely intact and stable and was used as an observation post by our troops for its great view of the area. Here I am with Efrem Lukatsky, an award-winning AP photographer who spent many months with us, and Capt. Mark Stouffer, commander of my A Company.
Author
Although we missed Saddam at the Hadooshi Farm, he had definitely been there with his wife. We captured the Hussein family photo albums, important family papers, $2 million worth of Sajida Hussein’s jewelry, and this stash of $9 million in cash.
Photo by CSM Pete Martinez
Saddam in earlier days with Presidential Secretary Abid Hamid Mahmood Al Khatab (L) and Yasir Arafat. In a huge breakthrough, Jack’s SOF team and our troops captured Mahmood on June 16, 2003. He was the Ace of Diamonds in the deck of cards. Saddam’s bodyguard, Adnan Abid Al-Musslit, is seen in the background on the right staring at the camera.
Hussein family photos captured by 1-22 Infantry
An unexpected consequence of the Mahmood raid was Saddam’s sons, Uday and Qusay Hussein, fleeing from Tikrit to Mosul. Jack’s SOF men with Baghdad reinforcements and Capt. Dan Miller’s D Company, 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division would kill Uday, Qusay, and Mustafa Hussein. Shortly afterward, they were buried in my area in Auja in the crude graves above.
Author
“Gators” from my A Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry commanded by Capt. Mark Stouffer, prepare for an extended patrol. Mark’s troops led many of my raids.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
“Cobras” from my C Company. It was the tough, young soldiers in this company who patrolled the heart of the city of Tikrit.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
Capt. Jon Cecalupo radios instructions to his company team of “Cougars” of C Company, 3-66 Armor. Jon’s tanks were permanently attached to my task force and controlled the northern suburban areas of Tikrit called Cadaseeyah. He also fought heavy actions on the ground in the old Republican Guard Corps base north of the city.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
Working every possible lead was crucial. Iraqis knew the people we were hunting. Getting them to tell us what they knew was a constant effort. Here, Joe Fillmore translates for Bryan Luke, Cesar Castro, and me some information about boat traffic this lady saw on the Tigris River not far from where we would find Saddam a week later.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
During the huddle between Col. Hickey and John, Brian Reed and Kelly tore off a sheet from a butcher tablet to make a planning sketch. The simple concept for what would become Operation Red Dawn started on this sheet of paper. The strikethrough on the timeline was due to Hickey’s concerns of being just a tad late as had happened to us previously. Hickey believed the sooner the better. John concurred but had many reinforcing assets from Baghdad that would join him and time was needed to get them together. The result was an H-Hour of “2000-ish.”
Provided by Jim Hickey
The farm where Saddam was captured in re
lation to Tikrit and Auja. One could literally look from the bluff of the site where Saddam was found and see his old mansion and the Hadooshi Farm.
Graphic by Author
The two farms that became Wolverine 1 and Wolverine 2 during Operation Red Dawn. Saddam was captured at the farm at the top center of the photo that looks to the south. Ad Dawr is in the background. The Tigris is at the right of the orchard and Auja would be across the river.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
John’s team gathers around a subdued Saddam as John’s translator, Samir, poses with the former Iraqi dictator. This photo is the only known picture of Saddam at the hole.
Photo provided to Author
Col. Jim Hickey at the hole on December 13, 2003. Left to Right: Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Gray, Command Sergeant Major Larry Wilson, Col. Hickey, and Specialist Joe Ghamdi. Ghamdi is holding a chest belonging to Saddam containing $750K in US currency.
Photo provided by Jim Hickey
Saddam was shuttled in a Little Bird helicopter from the hole to the Water Palace in Tikrit until he could be transferred to Baghdad in great secrecy.
Photo provided to Author
Saddam would be transferred late that night on a helicopter flight coordinated to send him to Baghdad with an Air Force escort.
Photos provided to Author
At midnight on December 13, 2003, my command group assembled in front of the colors for this picture. The world would discover the news the next day. Left to right: Sergeant Major Cesar Castro, Command Sergeant Major Salvador M. “Pete” Martinez, me, Major Mike Rauhut, Major Bryan Luke.
Author
A tired Capt. Dez Bailey, commander of G Troop, 10th Cavalry, guards the Saddam site on the morning of December 14, 2003. Dez had been up for several nights at the time of this picture. In addition to often being attached to my task force, Dez would later command one of my rifle companies.
Photo provided by Dez Bailey
The opening was very narrow. I could not get inside the hole without removing my gear.
US Army photo
Inside the hole, there was barely enough room to sit. It was like sitting underneath a 6-foot folding table.
US Army photo
Saddam Hussein was captured with a Glock 18C, Serial Number BZG970. This weapon was full auto capable and was presented to President Bush in the spring of 2004.
Photo from National Archives
The only other item that Saddam had in the hole with him was this pair of medium “Khoshpa Shoe” sandals. These cheap vacuum-formed, rubber, simulated-buckle sandals complemented the rest of Saddam’s appearance at capture.
Photo provided by CSM Larry Wilson
The Presidential Suite where Saddam slept. This room had many books to read for leisure. Note the can of Raid.
US Army photo
The Presidential Kitchen. It was here that Qais Namaq Jassim prepared Saddam’s meals. All the rooms were disheveled from extensive searches. Photos were taken December 14, 2003.
US Army photo
A small trail from the hut through a plush fruit orchard led to the nearby Tigris riverbank. Here is the Presidential Yacht used by Saddam for his liaisons across the river at places like the Hadooshi Farm.
US Army photo
Capt. Mark Stouffer, Commander of A Company and Capt. Brad Boyd, Commander of C Company pay a visit to the hole. Before it was destroyed, the hole became a favorite photo spot for soldiers.
Photo provided by Brad Boyd
Major General Ray Odierno, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, briefs the world on the details of his troops’ raid that netted Saddam.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
Brigadier General Mike Barbero, Assistant Division Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, listens to Col. Jim Hickey as he provides the details at the site of the raid.
AP photo by Efrem Lukatsky
The commanders and top sergeants of Task Force 1-22 Infantry. Back row, L to R: Capt. Curt Kuetemeyer, A Co, 4th FSB; Capt. Chris Fallon, Headquarters Co, 1-22 IN; First Sergeant Ron Davis, A Co, 4th FSB; First Sergeant William Matlock, C Co, 3-66 AR; Capt. Mike Wagner, A Co, 1-22 IN; Capt. Brad Boyd, C Co, 1-22 IN; First Sergeant Mike Evans, C Co, 1-22 IN; Capt. Jon Cecalupo, C Co, 3-66 AR; Front row, L to R: First Sergeant Jaime Garza, A Co, 1-22 IN; Command Sergeant Major Pete Martinez, 1-22 IN; me; First Sergeant Louis Holzworth, B Co and Headquarters Co, 1-22 IN; Capt. Mark Stouffer, A Co, 1-22 IN. Not pictured: Capt. Scott Thomas, B Co, 1-22 IN; Capt. Mitch Carlisle, C Co, 1-22 IN; and First Sergeant Delionel Meadows, Headquarters Co, 1-22 IN.
Author
With the incomparable gentleman, the late Peter Jennings. Bryan Luke is in the background.
Author
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We Got Him! Page 47