MPs on the move in Musayyib District

Courtesy Photo | Pvt. Julianne Elliott from Boston, works side-by-side with her Iraqi police counterpart, March 21. Elliott is a member of the Warhawgs of 3rd Platoon, 230th Military Police Company, who are attached to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.24.2008

Courtesy Story

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 1st Lt. William Perdue
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq – The role of military police units on the battlefield continues to evolve to keep up with the ever changing face of the fight.

Today, MPs make up police transition teams, training and working side-by-side with Iraqi police to establish a stronger presence across communities.

One such PTT, staffed by 3rd Platoon, 230th Military Police Company, attached to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducts training and patrols on a daily basis with their Iraqi counterparts.

"Iraqi police in the area are doing a great job," said Pfc. Albert Sitzes, from St. Louis, Mo. "They're always making a way for us to work as a team."

The platoon has been training and patrolling with IPs stationed at the Musayyib police station. Members of the platoon interact with the community; on one recent patrol they handed out soccer balls to local children.

Building strong community relations is important because the people are the ears of the street. Coalition forces rely on cooperation from local residents for intelligence and situational reports. Helping children has been one way of building close ties.

"When we went on the patrol and handed out soccer balls, it helps the children have a better day because they don't really have a lot right now," said Spc. Anthony Bonaldi, from Warwick, R.I.

The MPs also train their Iraqi counterparts on organization, record keeping and equipment maintenance.

"I believe that the partnership that we have with the Iraqi police will further the independence of their government allowing us to step back sooner," added Pvt. Julianne Elliott, from Boston, Mass.

• Date Taken: 03.24.2008
• Date Posted: 03.26.2008 10:35
• Story ID: 17762
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ