 In March 2003, the 490th as a battalion, including Headquarters, General Support, and Direct Support Detachments deployed to Iraq as part of OIF I and remained through early 2004.Elements of the 490th were heavily involved in efforts to control and improve volatile and key places in Iraq, including the Baghdad Zoo, Sadr City, the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), and the city of Fallujah that was later the site of a famous battle.Two members of the 490th received the Purple Heart and were medically discharged from military service for wounds received in action from improvised explosive devices (Staff Sergeant Ryan Kelly and CPT Allen Vaught).