Operation Murfreesboro

In October 2006, the Manchu Warriors of 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (1-9 IN) deployed to east Ramadi for 2nd Infantry Division's second tour to Iraq. The Manchu's relieved the 506th Infantry Regiment (506 AR) and the 1st Armored Division (1 AD) from the AO. The Battalion was in east Ramadi during 2004-2005 deployment under the colors of the 503rd Infantry Regiment (503 IR). The Manchu's, already familiar to the battleground, had an advantage already. In November and December 2006, a local sheik in the Sofia district of Ar Ramadi was fed up with the AQIZ and gathered his fighters to ally with the Manchu Warriors. His fighters had fought against the Rock soldiers of the 1-503 IR in 2ID's 2004 deployment. AQIZ had moved into the...