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

by Peter C. Svoboda, William B. Caldwell (Foreword)

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 AwardsPraise 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

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Audiobook, Nonfiction

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2021

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3-Star Review: Headhunter: 5-73 CAV and Their Fight for Iraq’s Diyala River Valley by Peter C. Svoboda

Headhunter follows the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment—an elite group of paratroopers deployed to Iraq’s Diyala River Valley during a particularly brutal stretch of the war in 2006–2007. Drawing on interviews with soldiers and their families, Peter Svoboda gives a raw and personal look at their experiences on the ground: the intense firefights, the daily grind of patrols, the heartbreak of loss, and the resilience that got them through it all.

There’s no doubt this book is full of powerful stories and emotional weight. Svoboda clearly cares deeply about honouring these soldiers, and the human side of the conflict comes through strongly. Operations like Turki Bowl are described in gripping detail, and the inclusion of family voices adds a moving layer of perspective.

That said, I found the structure a bit hard to follow. It jumps between stories and firefights without much broader context, which made it feel more like a series of tactical snapshots than a full narrative. The heavy use of military terms and acronyms might be tricky for readers who aren’t already familiar with that world. I also struggled with the audiobook narrator—he had a steady tone but didn’t really bring the emotion or energy I expected from such a personal story.

Overall, Headhunter is a heartfelt tribute to the soldiers of 5-73 CAV, and there’s definitely value in what it shares. I just wish the delivery had been a bit more engaging and easier to follow.

[Richard E · Rating 5 out of 5]

We owe a debt of gratitude to all who served. We need to be familiar, as we can, with their struggles so that we can better understand the calling of a warrior. God bless the peace makers that have lost their lives and their families who will never forget. We should not forget them as well.

[Joseph Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sure kindle left a chunk of the book out