Canadian and 341st MPs conduct TCP Ops

Photo By Staff Sgt. Derek M. Smith | Pfc. Austin S. Miller, a U.S. Army Reservist with the 341st Military Police Company, based out of Mountain View, Calif., monitors civilian traffic as convoy vehicles approach his traffic control point during Exercise Maple Resolve 2014 (EX MR14). The Antioch, Calif. native and his U.S. Army Reserve MP unit partnered with their Canadian host counterparts to conduct joint training operations during EX MR14, conducted here May 5-June 1. Approximately 5,500 Canadian, British and U.S. Troops are participating in the cumulating collective training event that validates the Canadian Army’s High Readiness force for operations assigned to it by the Canadian government through the Chief of Defense Staff.  

WAINWRIGHT, ALBERTA, CANADA

05.18.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Derek M. Smith 

326th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

GARRISON WAINWRIGHT, Alberta – Military convoy operations are one of the most critical support missions of any country’s military operations. From transport of equipment, to supplies and personnel, the convoy is the vital lifeline for troops on the front line.

An often unacknowledged aspect of these operations is that of the traffic control point. These TCPs serve as not only valuable checkpoints to maintain accountability of convoy vehicles, but as a crucial measure to control civilian traffic, maintaining convoy integrity and security.

During Exercise Maple Resolve 2014 (EX MR14) here May 5-June 1, soldiers of the 341st Military Police Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based out of Mountain View, Calif., partnered with their Canadian host counterparts to conduct a variety of missions. During EX MR14, approximately 5,500 Canadian, British and American troops participated in the cumulating collective training event that validates the Canadian Army’s High Readiness force for operations assigned through the Canadian government through the Chief of Defense Staff.

The initial operations of the onset of the exercise allowed the MPs to practice their skills while assisting other units to successfully convoy to their individual training sites. The TCP operations guided and secured convoy vehicles taking part in EX MR14.

“We’re assisting the Canadian MPs conducting TCPs, guiding the convoy to their destinations to start their missions,” explained Spc. Mario Jains an MP with the 341st MP Company. “We are expecting approximately 900 vehicles during the mission and we need to make sure they reach their training site with no incident.”

The TCP operations fall directly in line with the combat MPs’ real-world missions expected of them in a deployed environment. The soldiers of the 341st said they viewed the exercise a valuable tool to develop their skills.

“It’s a good learning exercise because our company is more combat based [in its operations],” said Pfc. Austin S. Miller, a 341st MP. The Antioch, Calif., native explained the training during the exercise was a good stepping stone for future operations as well as a great partnership opportunity.

“I’m thankful for the training we are getting here,” Miller continued. “It’s good to see what they do on their side. Since we got here, we got to work with the Canadians and British and I’ve learned a lot about both. This is my first time working with both of them and it’s fantastic.”

“Training with coalition forces is a really great thing,” echoed Spc. Deshey Jenkins, a 341 MP and Somerset, Calif., native. “It gives us the opportunity to have different experiences with different people to see culture differences.”

As the MPs concluded the TCP operations, they planned on following the convoy into the training area to conduct further partnership trainings with their Canadian counterparts.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2014
• Date Posted: 05.18.2014 15:32
• Story ID: 130193
• Location: WAINWRIGHT, ALBERTA, CA
• Hometown: ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: SOMERSET, CALIFORNIA, US