Fort Drum MPs assume mission in Wasit

Courtesy Photo | (Left) First Sgt. Rodney Bowens and Capt. Eric Wigley, the 511th Military Police Company commander, Fort Drum, N.Y., unfurl the company's guidon, Dec. 9, in a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delta. The 511th assumed police transition training duties for Wasit province's Iraqi police station from the 984th MP Co., Fort Carson, Colo.  

AL KUT, IRAQ

12.10.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

By Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles
214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – With more than 1,365 completed missions in Iraq, the 984th Military Police Company transferred its mission to the 511th Military Police Company Dec. 9 at Forward Operating Base Delta, Iraq.

The company's mission is to train Iraqi police and to conduct security operations in support of coalition forces, said Lt. Col. Frank Rangel, Jr., the 720th MP Battalion commander. The 720th is the battalion headquarters of both the 984th and 511th MP companies.

The 984th MPs, from Fort Carson, Colo., had more than 90 incidents of combat action in Najaf, Qadisiyah and Wasit, said Rangel. The 984th MP Soldiers earned nine Purple Heart medals, 97 combat action badges, 25 Bronze Star Medals, and two awards for valor.

"This is a joyous occasion for the Immortals, but it has been a long deployment and it has taken its toll. This company has paid dearly with the lives of three of our Soldiers and the Soldiers standing here in this formation have made many personal sacrifices," said Capt. Mark Daley, commander of the 984th MP Co. "We have made a large contribution to the stability of Iraq and the war against terror, but we have missed a lot of things back home over the last 15 months. Now it's time to go home, and mend those relationships that have not gotten the full attention they deserved over the last 15 months."

The 511th MPs from Fort Drum, N.Y., are ready to accept the responsibilities that have been given to them, said Capt. Eric Wigley, the 511th MP Co. commander.

The 511th assumed police transition training duties for Wasit province's Iraqi police station.

"We've heard many times that we have big shoes to fill," Wigley said. "While that is certainly true, my ops sergeant put it best when he said that, 'we have big feet'. We've trained many long days and weeks, and have traveled a long way from home to accomplish a mission, and we have every intention of doing just that."

• Date Taken: 12.10.2007
• Date Posted: 12.10.2007 12:39
• Story ID: 14566
• Location: AL KUT, IQ