Coffman served during the
US occupation of Iraq. While working as a civilian advisor, his unit was attacked on November 14, 2004. During this attack, he was commended for the leadership he provided his troops while outnumbered against a group of
Iraqi insurgents. He continued fighting even after an enemy round shattered his shooting hand, continuing to fire with his other hand. After reinforcements arrived, Coffman refused to exit the battle despite his injuries. He was award the
Distinguished Service Cross for these actions. The Wolf Brigade was created and supported by the US and it enabled the redeployment of
Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard but with the new task of terrorising those connected with the Iraqi insurgency. This was part of the US drive to use "dirty tactics" against insurgents in Iraq, a counterinsurgency doctrine known as "fighting terror with terror," and one that had previously been exercised by the US in other
theaters, including Vietnam and El Salvador. Coffman worked closely with security consultant
James Steele advising Iraqi Special Police Commandos during
Multi-National Security Transition Command operations, and who has also been implicated in human rights abuses of Iraqi detainees. Coffman reported directly to
General David Petraeus and worked alongside Steele in detention centers that were set up with US funding. General Muntadher al-Samari, Iraqi interior ministry commander from 2003 to 2005, revealed the US role in torture carried out by the Special Commandos' interrogation units, claiming that Steele and Coffman knew exactly what was being done. Al-Samari described "the ugliest sorts of torture" he had ever seen, which included the severe beating and hanging of detainees, as well the pulling off of their fingernails. The Guardian report also claimed that the US backing of sectarian paramilitary units helped create conditions that led to sectarian
civil war. ==Awards and decorations==