From 2007 through 2009 elements of the 25th, including the 1/21 "Gimlets" from Schofield served in Iraq in the vicinity of Baghdad, serving proudly and at great cost. Beginning in 2005 the 2nd Brigade including the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry underwent reorganization from light to a Stryker brigade combat team. The brigade arrived in Iraq for a fifteen-month tour of duty in November 2007 and was based at Camp Taji northwest of Baghdad. Serving with the Multi-National Division-Baghdad, the brigade was responsible for the rural areas northwest and west of Baghdad with the 1st Battalion operating near Abu Ghuraib. The 1st Battalion, working closely with their Iraqi counterparts, was especially successful in eliminating terrorist cells and uncovering and destroying multiple weapons caches. Select elements of 1st Battalion 21st Infantry, including Alpha Company, participated in the Battle of Sadr City in March 2008. The 1st Battalion returned to Schofield Barracks in February 2009.