312th Military Police Battalion hands over reins to 508th Military Police Battalion after a job 'well done'

Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 327th Military Police Battalion and 508th MP Battalion, render honors to the United States flag during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 16, 2008 at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad. The 327th MP Bn. relinquished authority to the 508th MP Bn.  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.19.2008

Story by Pfc. Lyndsey Prax 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Military Police Soldiers gathered together to say farewell to fellow Soldiers and welcome new teammates during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 16, 2008 at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad.

Lt. Col. John Faron, commander of the 312th Military Police Battalion, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, cased his unit's colors shortly before Lt. Col. Steven Donaldson stepped forward and removed a separate case to reveal the colors of 508th Military Police Battalion, thus signifying that he assumes authority and will continue the mission.

"I cannot thank you enough for all of your efforts in the success of this mission and in helping me be successful," said Faron, a native of Castle Lake, Ill., to his Soldiers during the ceremony. "I am both humbled and honored to have had the privilege to be leading you through theater and now on our way home."

The 327th MP Bn. spent the first seven months of its deployment at the Theater Internment Facility Reconciliation Center in Ramadi. There, they provided area security and facilitated TIFRC construction as well as captured multiple extremists, to include high-value targets.

Three months ago, the unit relocated from Ramadi to Capt Taji in order to assist with the construction of the Taji TIFRC.

The TIFRC at Camp Taji integrates detention and reintegration programs, said 1st Lt. Yuching Wong, preventative medicine officer with 327th MP Bn. The overall goal of the TIFRC is to reintegrate detainees into society with basic education and trade skills so they can contribute to a peaceful and secure Iraq.

"Your most recent efforts to establish a first-class visitation center that was acceptable to us and Iraqi forces, as well as being responsive to the needs of the detainees' families, speaks volumes about the foundation of care, custody, dignity and respect for the detainees that will be received here at Taji," said Brig. Gen. Robert Kenyon, 11th MP Brigade commander, who is a native of New Orleans, to the gathered Soldiers. "The professionalism of the 327th has been duly noted. You can be proud of a job well done and know that your accomplishments here have made Iraq safer from extremists."

While the Soldiers are anxious to get home and be reacquainted with their loved ones, the ceremony is a bittersweet moment for many.

"There is still a lot of work to be done, and we won't be here to see it through," said Wong, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn. "Our mission wasn't a normal military police operation. It was challenging but very rewarding to do something outside our normal job."

• Date Taken: 10.19.2008
• Date Posted: 10.19.2008 01:13
• Story ID: 25198
• Location: TAJI, IQ