The 278th ACR (278th RCT) deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III (2004–2005) from late November 2004 until November 2005 under the command of COL Dennis Adams.
 The 278th mobilized out of Camp Shelby, MS beginning in June 2004 with roughly 3800 members.
Its major attachments were the 1/128th Infantry (the "Eagle Battalion"), Wisconsin National Guard, and the 386th Engineers from the Texas National Guard.

While conducting mobilization training at Camp Shelby, the three Armored Cavalry Troops of each Squadron were equipped with nine M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, 13 M3A2 Bradley fighting vehicles, and two 120mm mortar carriers.
The Howitzer Battery had six 155mm M109 howitzers and the Tank Company had 14 more M1A1s.
The squadrons also had two additional Bradleys for the squadron commanders and their operations officers (S-3).

The 278th RCT took over from the 30th BCT, North Carolina, commanded by BG Danny Hickman on Christmas Eve 2004 at FOB Caldwell where the regimental headquarters was established.
Initially the 278th RCT fell under Task Force Danger and the 1st Infantry Division.
In February 2005 the 278th became part of Task Force Liberty commanded by the 42nd Infantry Division.
The 1/278th and the 386th Engineer Battalion were located at FOB Caldwell along with the regimental HQ.
The regiment operated along the Iranian border in the Diyala Province and in the center of an ethnic triangle formed by Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen in the Salah Ah Din Province.
Each squadron was assigned to a FOB (forward operating base) and detachments sent to other locations, with some performing convoy escort missions from Kuwait to Mosul.
The 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) replaced the 278th RCT upon the 278th's redeployment to the United States.

FOB assignments:
FOB Caldwell (Balad Ruz- Kirkush Military Training Base): RHHT, Regimental Reconnaissance Troop (RRT), SPT/278th ACR,1/278th ACR and attachments.

FOB Cobra (Jalula, Iraq): I Troop, L Troop, K Troop 3/278th ACR, B Co 1/128 Infantry and soldiers from the 386th Engineer Battalion.

FOB Bernstein (Tuz, Iraq): 2/278th ACR and attachments.

FOB McKenzie (Samara East Airbase):3rd Platoon, Lightning Troop 3/278th.
Attachments from Pasadena, TX and Wisconsin infantry.

FOB O'Ryan (Near Ad Dujayl, Iraq): Troop K 3/278th ACR (attached to 1–128 Infantry Battalion, 32nd Infantry Brigade, Wisconsin
ARNG) which was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Raiders), 3rd Infantry Division.

International Zone (Baghdad Iraq): Troop F 2/278th RCT.
Attached to 1st Cavalry (3–8 Cavalry) and later under 3rd Infantry Division (4–64 Tuskers) Under the name Task-force Baghdad.

The FOBs included: Black hawk, Prosperity, Union (Trojan Horse).
This troop was responsible for security mission that included a mission with the CIA to guard the interim prime minister's house.
Other missions included patrolling, providing listening and observation posts (LP/OPs) during elections and for force protection of the International Zone.
This unit conducted checkpoints, convoy operations and provided security for the Naval Special Warfare EOD teams as well as Australian bomb squads.

Eight 278th ACR soldiers were killed in action in Iraq in 2005.
 Two more died of accidents or natural causes.
The 278th ACR (278th RCT) deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III (2004–2005) from late November 2004 until November 2005 under the command of COL Dennis Adams.  The 278th mobilized out of Camp Shelby, MS beginning in June 2004 with roughly 3800 members. Its major attachments were the 1/128th Infantry (the "Eagle Battalion"), Wisconsin National Guard, and the 386th Engineers from the Texas National Guard.
While conducting mobilization training at Camp Shelby, the three Armored Cavalry Troops of each Squadron were equipped with nine M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, 13 M3A2 Bradley fighting vehicles, and two 120mm mortar carriers. The Howitzer Battery had six 155mm M109 howitzers and the Tank Company had 14 more M1A1s. The squadrons also had two additional Bradleys for the squadron commanders and their operations officers (S-3).
The 278th RCT took over from the 30th BCT, North Carolina, commanded by BG Danny Hickman on Christmas Eve 2004 at FOB Caldwell where the regimental headquarters was established. Initially the 278th RCT fell under Task Force Danger and the 1st Infantry Division. In February 2005 the 278th became part of Task Force Liberty commanded by the 42nd Infantry Division. The 1/278th and the 386th Engineer Battalion were located at FOB Caldwell along with the regimental HQ. The regiment operated along the Iranian border in the Diyala Province and in the center of an ethnic triangle formed by Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen in the Salah Ah Din Province. Each squadron was assigned to a FOB (forward operating base) and detachments sent to other locations, with some performing convoy escort missions from Kuwait to Mosul. The 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) replaced the 278th RCT upon the 278th's redeployment to the United States.
FOB assignments:
FOB Caldwell (Balad Ruz- Kirkush Military Training Base): RHHT, Regimental Reconnaissance Troop (RRT), SPT/278th ACR,1/278th ACR and attachments.
FOB Cobra (Jalula, Iraq): I Troop, L Troop, K Troop 3/278th ACR, B Co 1/128 Infantry and soldiers from the 386th Engineer Battalion.
FOB Bernstein (Tuz, Iraq): 2/278th ACR and attachments.
FOB McKenzie (Samara East Airbase):3rd Platoon, Lightning Troop 3/278th. Attachments from Pasadena, TX and Wisconsin infantry.
FOB O'Ryan (Near Ad Dujayl, Iraq): Troop K 3/278th ACR (attached to 1–128 Infantry Battalion, 32nd Infantry Brigade, Wisconsin
ARNG) which was assigned to the 1st Brigade (Raiders), 3rd Infantry Division.
International Zone (Baghdad Iraq): Troop F 2/278th RCT. Attached to 1st Cavalry (3–8 Cavalry) and later under 3rd Infantry Division (4–64 Tuskers) Under the name Task-force Baghdad.
The FOBs included: Black hawk, Prosperity, Union (Trojan Horse). This troop was responsible for security mission that included a mission with the CIA to guard the interim prime minister's house. Other missions included patrolling, providing listening and observation posts (LP/OPs) during elections and for force protection of the International Zone. This unit conducted checkpoints, convoy operations and provided security for the Naval Special Warfare EOD teams as well as Australian bomb squads.
Eight 278th ACR soldiers were killed in action in Iraq in 2005.  Two more died of accidents or natural causes.
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment