[July 2, 2026] I was recently asked to write a short article about my experience with the most infamous stretch of road in Iraq: Route Irish. I’ll do my best to talk about surviving on that road.
While pulling out my notes, I was mentally transported back to my unit’s deployment to Baghdad in early March 2024, to the stress of combat, the Army’s bureaucracy, the Iraqis themselves, and the smell, heat, dust, wind, and the ever-present sand color everywhere.
At the time, my priority as an Engineer in the 1st Cavalry Division was to build as much as possible, as fast as possible, for incoming U.S. Army units. Where we were to build was scattered across the divisional area, roughly a 50-mile radius from the city. That meant considerable travel for our Engineers.
Moving about any battlefield carries risk. Since we moved regularly between Victory Base (near the airport) and the Green Zone, my Soldiers and I were exposed to attacks on our convoys during that short 7.5 miles. At the time, I thought nothing of it. That would be an early mistake.
“Never assume anything” is an age-old maxim of war. Late that year, we had plenty of experience and were very nervous about Route Irish, which had already claimed the lives of at least two Cav troopers and left a couple of dozen wounded. “Stay alert.” Regardless of rank, everyone pulled security duty before heading out into “Indian country.” The message was: be ready and prepared to respond immediately to enemy fire.
In November, we rolled up on a small 1st Cav convoy that had been hit hard by IEDs and small arms fire. We stopped. We got out of our vehicles to provide additional perimeter security while the medics saved lives. I was nervous because a new insurgent tactic was to wait for first responders and ambush them as well. Luckily, that didn’t happen, and no one died. Luck, however, is not a good plan. Truthfully, it’s a terrible plan.
Additional Infantry units were starting to arrive, so we left and gave them a short report on what was going on. None of this was exciting. Nothing about it was something we wanted to do. It’s said that war is 99% boredom and 1% sheer terror. That day we did our job, nothing more. And every day our Soldiers did exactly that.
My biggest impression of our Soldiers was that they are the most professional and greatest men and women I’d ever met. They did the dirty, dangerous, and sometimes deadly work required of them without complaint. These were often “kids,” often not even 20 years old, but I could rely on them to do whatever I asked of them. As long as they knew I had their backs, they’d do anything.
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Please read my books:
I know it well. My dad told me about Route Irish but also about the many times him and his buddies were on so many routes, I think called MSRs and ASRs (am I right?). but there were more tall tales (but truthful) about how nasty and deluded the captured insurgents and terrorists were (there is a distinction that Gen. Satterfield makes in his book). I do recommend the book, mostly because my dad says it is one of the best books out there that really describes what went on, esp. behind the scenes. Get the book today: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/ I just want to add that my dad is a great guy (& not becaus3e he is my dad) because, as he says, he survived combat and the “army bureaucracy” (just like Gen. S.says). I’m a huge huge huge fan of this site because I can go here every day and get a small dose of reality, much unlike all the other so-called leadership websites. Thank you all for reading my comments, and for being such a supporter of this website and Gen. Satterfield. Happy, early, Fourth of July.
Valkerie, both his books are the best. Get them both and spread the word. 📕
Happy 4th of July in only two days … the countdown begins.
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⭐️ Gen. S, another story about Route Irish. 🎯 Loving all these stories of your time in combat. 🫡 I salute you for your service, all those decades, and surviving to tell your stories to us and your grandchildren too. 👥 Your family now has something to remember you buy forever. 🪖 We all should be writing down our legacy, even if it is short because that is what helps us “see” ourselves and thus can also see how to make ourselves better than we are. 👓 We can be better, and that is a journey. 🏃♂️ Whether we walk, run, or ride, the journey is the game. 👍 Keep going sir., as we are happy to travel with you. 👀
More stories from Gen. Satterfield, and much appreciated. Thank you sir.
I remember reading your book “Our Longest Year in Iraq” a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much (and my sister liked it too). What I liked most about your book was the fact that every page was a story and every story was meaningful in some way. Sir, you dedicated your book to your grandchildren. Such a wonderful gesture. For those who consider buying it, get it now and do Gen. Satterfield another favor by leaving an honest review on Amazon or wherever you got the book.
Same here Susie Q. Thanks for hyping his book, and deservedly. 🙏