Photo By Ismael Ortega | Brig. Gen. Michael Osburn, left, commander, 81st Troop Command, talks with Soldiers...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - Soldiers assigned to the 270th Military Police Company, California Army National Guard, and the 38th Military Police Company, Indiana Army National Guard, arrived at the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Air Control Group airfield here Dec. 15, 2015, after a nine-month deployment at Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.
The 38th MP Company deployed in support of the 270th MP Company for the duration of their time at GITMO.
“The overall intent was to provide a safe environment and security force for both the military and civilian workforce in our area,” said Capt. William Anderson, commander, 270th MP Company.
To prepare for this deployment, both units went through several months of training that involved area security operations and other military police procedures. The 270th MP Company spent a month of premobilization training at Camp Roberts, California, followed by an additional two months of mobilization training here.
The 38th MP Company had three weeks of state validating training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, before arriving here for more military occupation specialty specific training. First Lt. Wade Harshmam, commander, 38th MP Company, who mobilized through here for the first time, said the process was very well organized.
Anderson said the 270th MP Company encouraged Soldiers to perform to the best of their ability, whether enrolling in college courses, physical fitness or participating in Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation events.
“Any units that are deploying there (GITMO) will have a unique opportunity,” Anderson said. “For some it will be fun, others challenging. Overall it’s a great mission to do and gives purpose to being a U.S. American Soldier.”
During the nine-month deployment, the companies optimized their time, receiving several awards and recognition from the higher echelons of command.
Six Soldiers assigned to 38th MP Company received Army Commendation Medals, with another 24 getting Army Achievement Medals. Along with a net gain in rank, the units are returning with Soldiers prepared for the next step of their military career.
“Our physical fitness scores went up; in fact, (when) we left, we had a 100 percent pass rate with the exception of one that couldn’t take the Army Physical Fitness test,” Harshmam said. “Everyone is current on their structured self-development course and several (Soldiers) continued their education with online college and distance learning courses.”
Along with the awards and promotions, another goal of the 38th MP Company was to return without having any adverse actions that violated the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.
“The Soldiers did such a good job looking after each other that I was the only person getting stressed,” Harshmam said. “I couldn’t ask for better unit.”
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2016 14:41 |
| Story ID: | 186307 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 566 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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