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Headhunter: 5-73 CAV and Their Fight for Iraq's Diyala River Valley Kindle Edition

by Peter C. Svoboda (Author), William B. Caldwell (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 170 ratings
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An Army squadron of paratroopers share the story of their fifteen-month deployment in Iraq in 2006.

Selected in 2005 by the Army to be the first airborne reconnaissance squadron, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, better known as 5-73 CAV, was formed from 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The members of the squadron were hand-selected by the squadron command team, Lieutenant Colonel Poppas and Command Sergeant Major Edgar. With just more than 400 paratroopers, they were half the size of a full-strength battalion and the smallest unit in the Panther Brigade.

The squadron deployed to eastern Diyala in August, 2006. Despite their size, they were tasked with an enormous mission and were given the largest area of operations within the brigade. Appropriately for a unit known by the call sign of its CO—Headhunter—5-73 would go on to pursue various terrorist factions including Al Qaeda in Iraq. They got results, and 5-73 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for launching the Turki Bowl campaign from November 2006 to January 2007 against insurgent groups in Diyala Province. However the toll would be heavy—the squadron lost twenty-two paratroopers during the deployment.

Headhunter is a unique account of the War on Terror. It’s a soldier’s story, told by those very paratroopers who gallantly fought to tame Diyala. Based on dozens of interviews conducted by the author, the narrative describes the danger of combat, the loss of comrades and the struggles of returning from a deployment. The voice of the families left behind are also included, describing the challenges they faced, including the ultimate challenge—grappling with the death of a loved one. This book explores the human dimensions of loss and struggle and illustrates the sacrifices our service members and their loved ones make.

Finalist, 2020 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Awards

Praise for Headhunter

“A gut punch that pulls out the raw emotion of combat and the feelings of losing those closest to you. If one is unfamiliar with war, Headhunter will shock the senses.” —ARMY Magazine

“A highly interesting and detailed account.” —Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International
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  1. Print length
    241 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Casemate
  5. Publication date
    September 25, 2020
  6. File size
    36170 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...tells the stories of the brave paratroopers with clarity and grit. Those looking to get insight into the lives of American soldiers as they served in Iraq will enjoy this compassionately written book."
Army History Magazine

"...a highly interesting and detailed account..."
Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International

“Svoboda chronicles the little-known saga of Task Force 300, a group of four hundred 82nd Airborne paratroopers who punched far above their weight in the battle for Iraq’s Diyala River Valley. Based on copious interviews and in-depth research, the narrative dives into the experiences of the entire unit: from the staff planning the complexities of combined arms support, to squads with their boots on the ground engaged in desperate firefights against a determined and merciless enemy. This is a story of brotherhood, tragedy and valor.”
James M. Fenelon, Author of "Four Hours of Fury: The Untold Story of WWII’s Largest Airborne Invasion"

"Headhunter opens one’s eyes to problems associated with intervening in Middle East politics and deepens understanding of the difficulties of pursuing counterinsurgency tactics. Its graphic portrayal of the brutality of jihadist warfare on soldiers and civilians should be mandatory reading for leaders at our highest levels of government."
Air & Space Power History

“…(and featuring an informative Foreword by Lt. General William B. Caldwell (Ret.), former commander, 82nd Airborne Division ) [this book] is now available for personal reading lists and community/academic library 21st Century American Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists…”
Midwest Book Review

"Headhunter is a gut punch that pulls out the raw emotion of combat and the feelings of losing those closest to you. If one is unfamiliar with war, Headhunter will shock the senses."
ARMY Magazine

"Well researched and comprehensive..."
SirReadaLot.org

About the Author

Peter C. Svoboda divides his time between writing and working as a healthcare emergency management planner. He was previously a firefighter for twenty-five years. He volunteers as a museum docent at the National Museum of the United States Army. Pete Svoboda’s dad is the reason he wrote Headhunter. He was inspired by his dad’s World War II service in the airborne forces along with a desire to tell the story of this current generation of paratroopers. Pete is married, has three children, a granddaughter and another expected in July 2020. He and his wife live in Richmond, Virginia.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08M3B919S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casemate (September 25, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 36170 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 241 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 170 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
170 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Deezzz
5.0 out of 5 stars Was there in Baqubah with the 5-73…
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Easy book to read, I was attached as an EOD Tech to multiple supporting units in the sector during this time and can say without a doubt, when you were supporting the 5-73 you were not going anywhere till the mission was complete. I also supported the 1st Cav and the Stryker guys too, but the 82nd Soldiers get after it and get the job completed no matter what. I was supporting them at a small COP, (can’t remember the name) nearby the school that had the double VBIED attack that day. I remember hearing it and nobody had to say anything, we just knew. Sorry for the loss of all those Paratroopers that day, but this unit was as legit as the book makes them sound. Squared away fighting machine, they had the best leaders and Soldiers during the, “Wild West” days around Baqubah. Prayers to them and their lost.
5 people found this helpful
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D. Tuesday
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling retelling of a little-known fight
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
It's a good book. Accurate retelling of a little-known part of the War in Iraq. Compelling narrative of recon paratroopers, trained to fight enemy armies but tasked with rooting out hardened extremists in brutal guerrilla warfare where friend or foe sometimes changed daily. Extensive interviews let the men who were there tell their own story of a forgotten part of the Surge. I can vouch for the accuracy-- I was there.

In summer 2006 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne deployed to Iraq for stability operations. The brigade's recon squadron was sent to the eastern fringes to fill in while other units transitioned. This temporary assignment would turn into 15 months of fighting guerrillas and militias through the urban hellscape of Baqubah and out into terrorist training grounds hidden in the barren desert and among the farming villages. A "forgotten" slice of the war, as insurgents flooded into Diyala from all around Iraq, the overworked recon company was stretched thin holding the line, stabilizing the towns, and rooting out insurgents hiding among the palms. For their actions the brigade would receive a Meritorious Unit Citation, and the squadron itself received a Presidential Unit Citation-- the highest award a unit can receive. Those awards came at the cost of 22 dead paratroopers, and more than 100 wounded.
5 people found this helpful
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J. M. Jackson
4.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read, Great Account
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
A great account of 5-73 CAVs heroic efforts in Iraq. The author is not the most polished writer but it is an easy read. The book appears to be written for a wide audience, which is much appreciated, but as one familiar with the military and its terminology, some things were painfully defined and explained. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book.
4 people found this helpful
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J. Arnold
5.0 out of 5 stars With my most sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this story possible.
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
Full Disclosure: I am Peter Svoboda’s nephew. I bought this book because my uncle worked incredibly hard on it and I wanted to show my support for him. I read this book cover-to-cover because it’s a really good book.

I grew up reading works of fiction; whimsical flights of far-future science, magic, and fantasy. Coming from such a colorful literary background, nonfiction seemed sterile by comparison. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Headhunter was instantly more intense, more engrossing, more impactful than any act of imagination because it really happened, not in spite of it. In fact there were several points where I found myself wanting this to be a work of fiction, to spare those who had to live it. The 5-73 enduring the stress and endless intensity of their experience in Iraq makes for a sobering and compelling read; one that is hard to put down for long.

This book flies in the face of media-portrayed expectations of the military. This is not the mob of one-dimensional stereotypes who all have their five minute spotlight followed by a ride off into the sunset. These soldiers, these humans, are deeply intelligent, emotional, and dedicated to a level most of us only dream of. They come from all walks of life, all pockets of American culture, filled with nuance and quirks that show up at every turn. On top of this rich texture of personal history and motivation, each carries status as an elite soldier in one of the greatest military forces on the planet. It takes a lifetime to write a character this complete.

I got to know each of them in turn, and marveled at the mix of imagination, ingenuity, and humanity they brought to the table. I felt betrayed when I read of those stolen from the story; stolen from their friends and families. Later on, I found myself hesitant to let myself become attached to new arrivals for fear I’d have to let them go before long. I imagine this feeling is a small measure of what it must really be like.

I was not cut out to be a soldier. The fact that there were, and still are, those who would step up to fill the role to such a level of excellence fills me with a deep gratitude. I never wish for conflict of any sort in the world, but if it is inevitable conflict will arise, at least I can give thanks and learn the stories of some of these incredible individuals. This is just one story of the myriad, well told and definitely worth the time you choose to spend with it.
12 people found this helpful
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Kathy Kahlson
5.0 out of 5 stars A worthwhile read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Svoboda painstakingly documents the experiences of the 5-73 CAV and their fight for Iraq’s Diyala River Valley. I know Pete personally and how hard he worked to get this story on the pages. It is a fitting tribute to the soldiers and their families. What honorable people all around! This story is careful and pays attention to the details. Great work!
5 people found this helpful
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Braden Hestermann
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Chronicle of TF 300 Deployment
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
Svoboda succeeded in documenting the 2006-2007 deployment of 5-73 Cavalry Squadron to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He weaved together multiple anecdotes from members of the unit to compose a factual and straightforward account of the major operations the unit encountered over their 15 month deployment to the Diyala Province in Iraq. He also highlighted the profound losses suffered and the heart-wrenching grief experienced by those left behind at home. An excellent summary and in depth look into some of the darkest days of the Iraq war during "the surge" and a humbling account of some of the bravest Paratroopers ever to serve in the famed 82D Airborne Division.
4 people found this helpful
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