Major Justin Brown assumed command of Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment just before the unit’s deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom in April 2003. In this interview, he recounts his experiences in Iraq, particularly those concerning Operation Rifles Blitz in the Al Qaim region in November. He speaks initially about taking up positions along the Syrian border, providing border security, reestablishing local operation of a border checkpoint and working with the police to help make them a viable force in the region. At first, only Brown’s troop was in these areas, but by early fall enemy activity had picked up tremendously: “It wasn’t like one or two attacks a day; it was multiple attacks with rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices, usually accompanied by some sort of ambush.” In September and October, Brown’s troop was stretched thin with running the border checkpoint, training the police, conducting patrols day and night, and carrying out raids against insurgents. “Because of all these priorities and missions we had” explained Brown, “there were points when we had to make decisions on where we were going to put folks, because we couldn’t be everywhere.” As for the rationale behind Rifles Blitz, “The why is easy - there was increased activity there. Obviously there were people coming across the border and this was probably the launch point for folks to move into Baghdad.” In addition, he describes one tactic used during the operation’s massive cordon and search of Husaybah - paying each household $20 if a search revealed no wanted individuals or unauthorized weapons. Task organized into four platoons of two tanks and three Bradleys each, then attached to each company in 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, his troop collectively contributed to the ultimate capture of insurgent leaders and an overall shutting down of the “rat lines between Syria and Baghdad for a good period of time.” Brown also recounts his unit’s role in Operation Tiger Strike, an effort directed at high-value targets before Rifles Blitz even began. Finally, he stresses the importance of dealing with Iraqis from a position of strength. “The people we dealt with - the police and locals and everyone - have a respect for power, for those individuals who assert authority” Brown explained. “Whenever the bad guys were doing a very good job with their information operations … there were fewer people waving and coming up to interact with us. But whenever we had the upper hand things were much more positive.”