In 2004, four American street cops were selected to serve as the protective service detail, or
PSD, for Brigadier General Charles (Sandy) Davidson, the commander of the 350th Civil Affairs
Command, a Florida-based Army Reserve unit. During their tour in Iraq, the C.O.B.R.A. Team
was based in Baghdad's Green Zone and lived a life of high adventure as they performed
hundreds of convoy missions on the dangerous streets of Baghdad. They also traveled to some
of the amazing and unique places in Iraq such as the legendary city of Babylon and the
picturesque hills of Kurdistan.
As they risked their lives on a daily basis to protect General Davidson, the men of the
C.O.B.R.A. Team always lived with the possibility of death by ambushes, improvised explosive
devices, rockets or mortars. They worked with Iraqi soldiers and civilians; they also escorted
foreign soldiers and diplomats from many countries.
The C.O.B.R.A. Team's mission was to ensure that General Davidson survived his tour in Iraq,
but that mission would never be a real success unless all of the Team went home as well. Their
training, their determination and their teamwork resulted in the successful completion of that
mission..
They all came home.
PSD, for Brigadier General Charles (Sandy) Davidson, the commander of the 350th Civil Affairs
Command, a Florida-based Army Reserve unit. During their tour in Iraq, the C.O.B.R.A. Team
was based in Baghdad's Green Zone and lived a life of high adventure as they performed
hundreds of convoy missions on the dangerous streets of Baghdad. They also traveled to some
of the amazing and unique places in Iraq such as the legendary city of Babylon and the
picturesque hills of Kurdistan.
As they risked their lives on a daily basis to protect General Davidson, the men of the
C.O.B.R.A. Team always lived with the possibility of death by ambushes, improvised explosive
devices, rockets or mortars. They worked with Iraqi soldiers and civilians; they also escorted
foreign soldiers and diplomats from many countries.
The C.O.B.R.A. Team's mission was to ensure that General Davidson survived his tour in Iraq,
but that mission would never be a real success unless all of the Team went home as well. Their
training, their determination and their teamwork resulted in the successful completion of that
mission..
They all came home.
Baghdad Headquarters of the
350th Civil Affairs Command
350th Civil Affairs Command
| The "Cobra Pit": The Home of The C.O.B.R.A. Team |
| Al Adnan Palace: The Ministry of the Interior |
| View of Baghdad from roof of headquarters |
The patch of The C.O.B.R.A. Team
| Ishtar Gate: Entrance to ancient Babylon |
| Main Palace of Saddam Hussein: Now the United States Embassy in Baghdad |
| Sign on front of headquarters |
What is a PSD?
It is a protective service detail, a team created and trained for the specific purpose of
protecting a high-ranking military officer, government official, civilian dignitary or
corporate officer and even the representatives of foreign military services or
governments.
The "Principal"
The principal is the person being protected. The mission of the C.O.B.R.A. Team was
to safeguard the life of their "principal", Brigadier General Charles (Sandy) Davidson.
Where was the C.O.B.R.A. Team based?
The Team was based in Baghdad's Green Zone. Since General Davidson's office was
located at the U.S. Embassy, all missions began in the Green Zone.
What were the biggest dangers to the Team?
During hundreds of convoys, The C.O.B.R.A. Team was at risk of attack by snipers,
ambushes, IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised
explosive devices). In addition, insurgents routinely fired rockets and mortars into the
Green Zone and into other areas where the Team traveled. Many times during their
tour, the compound in which they lived was the target of mortar or rocket attacks.
It is a protective service detail, a team created and trained for the specific purpose of
protecting a high-ranking military officer, government official, civilian dignitary or
corporate officer and even the representatives of foreign military services or
governments.
The "Principal"
The principal is the person being protected. The mission of the C.O.B.R.A. Team was
to safeguard the life of their "principal", Brigadier General Charles (Sandy) Davidson.
Where was the C.O.B.R.A. Team based?
The Team was based in Baghdad's Green Zone. Since General Davidson's office was
located at the U.S. Embassy, all missions began in the Green Zone.
What were the biggest dangers to the Team?
During hundreds of convoys, The C.O.B.R.A. Team was at risk of attack by snipers,
ambushes, IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised
explosive devices). In addition, insurgents routinely fired rockets and mortars into the
Green Zone and into other areas where the Team traveled. Many times during their
tour, the compound in which they lived was the target of mortar or rocket attacks.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom - 2004
On Saddam's "Throne":
The C.O.B.R.A. Team at Al
Faw Palace at Camp Victory:
The "Water" Palace.
The C.O.B.R.A. Team at Al
Faw Palace at Camp Victory:
The "Water" Palace.
| The "Good Luck" Cobra |
| The C.O.B.R.A. Team: From left to right: Staff Sergeant Aaron Self, Sergeant First Class Chuck Grist, Sergeant Chad Higginbotham, Sergeant John (Doc) Actis II. |
Home Page for The C.O.B.R.A. Team
| The Commander's Own Battle-Ready Action Team |
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| The images and text on this website have been produced by SFC Charles M. Grist and are not affiliated with the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the United States Army or any other official agency. |