Louisiana Soldiers return from year long deployment

Photo By Sgt. Beyonka Joseph | James Wallis of Vacherie, La., embraces his son, Spc. Brian R. Wallis, a Bossier City, La., native and member of the Louisiana Army National Guard's 39th Military Police Company, 773rd Military Police Battalion, of Minden, La., after his return from a year long deployment at the Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, La., Sept. 26. The 39th MP Company deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008.  

SHREVEPORT, UNITED STATES

09.26.2009

Story by Sgt. Beyonka Joseph 

Louisiana National Guard

SHREVEPORT, La. — Family, friends and fellow Louisiana Guardsmen gathered to celebrate the return of Soldiers during a homecoming reception at the Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, La., Sept. 26.

Approximately 97 military policemen from the Louisiana Army National Guard's 39th Military Police Company, 773rd Military Police Battalion, who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008, were greeted by Gov. Bobby Jindal, Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general of the LANG, and Command Sgt. Maj. Tommy Caillier, senior enlisted advisor of the LANG, as they stepped off the plane.

"It gives me great honor to be here today to welcome back these brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for us and their families," said Jindal. "They represent what real Louisiana heroes are, and I am just thrilled to have them back with us. I can not stress enough how proud we are of them."

First Lt. Manuel A. Polanco, commander of the 39th MP unit, said he was extremely happy that everyone returned home safely to their loved ones. "I couldn't have asked for a better group of Soldiers to deploy with," he said.

"Their motivation throughout it all is what kept us alive, and I couldn't be happier with their performance. It was perfect."

While deployed, the 39th successfully completed more than 700 combat missions throughout Iraq without serious injuries or loss of life.

They performed Police Transition Team operations by assisting with logistics, training and maintaining supplies on hand at local police stations in Baghdad, while also working with the Iraqi police conducting motor patrols, main supply route reconnaissance and establishment, and traffic control points.

"Working with the Iraqi police was very demanding, but we got through it and accomplished our missions," said Polanco. "We supported them in everyway that we could to ensure that we were doing our part in bringing freedoms to Iraq, and they were very appreciative of our efforts."

Additionally, the company also trained and staffed the Police Center of Excellence, an academy where advanced crime scene and investigative techniques are taught to Iraqi police, and assisted in the center's relinquishment from coalition forces' control to Iraq provincial police jurisdiction and oversight.

The 39th MP Company is located at Camp Minden in Minden, La., and its Soldiers live and work in communities throughout Louisiana.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2009
• Date Posted: 09.30.2009 11:05
• Story ID: 39482
• Location: SHREVEPORT, US