The Colbert Report took their show Iraq to surprise the troops there and cheer them up. This was the first time that the Colbert Report had taken their show on the road from their home studio in New York.
Rock-it Cargo’s Michelle Hayflich was the agent responsible for coordinating this logistical shipment. The goal of the Colbert Report team was to replicate the New York-based studio show in Baghdad. Hayflich assisted with the challenges of shipping the equipment to the region before it could be handed over to military transport.
Over a series of trips, a total of 13 pallets of gear that included set equipment, cables, back-drops, camera and lighting equipment were sent. Everything was shipped from New York to Kuwait and finally off to the military base in Baghdad.
Stephen Colbert arrived in Baghdad on June 5, 2009 to film a week of shows called "Operation Iraqi Stephen." The episodes were filmed in Al-Faw Palace's rotunda (also where U.S. President Barack Obama spoke during his visit). Colbert had a suit tailored for him in the Army camouflage and went through a condensed version of the Army's basic boot camp.
The first episode included an interview with Multinational Force - Iraq commander General Ray Odierno, which was interrupted by U.S. President Barack Obama. Obama said that if Colbert really wanted to be a soldier, he needed to have his hair shaved off, and ordered General Odierno to "shave that man's head". General Odierno then began to shave Colbert's head; the job was finished during the commercial break by one of Colbert's staff members. The episode also featured a message to the troops from U.S. Senator John McCain with a friendly reminder to "always remember to clean your muskets.” Several other prominent politicians, including former presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush, recorded messages for the troops that were aired in subsequent episodes.
The first episode included an interview with Multinational Force - Iraq commander General Ray Odierno, which was interrupted by U.S. President Barack Obama. Obama said that if Colbert really wanted to be a soldier, he needed to have his hair shaved off, and ordered General Odierno to "shave that man's head". General Odierno then began to shave Colbert's head; the job was finished during the commercial break by one of Colbert's staff members. The episode also featured a message to the troops from U.S. Senator John McCain with a friendly reminder to "always remember to clean your muskets.” Several other prominent politicians, including former presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush, recorded messages for the troops that were aired in subsequent episodes. 
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