49th MP assumes command of last U.S. operated detention center in Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Maj. Gen. Nelson Cannon, detainee operations and provost marshal general for United States Forces-Iraq, relays messages to outgoing command, 89th Military Police Brigade, and incoming unit, 49th MP Brigade Tactical Command Post, during an April 24 Transfer of Authority at Camp Cropper. Cannon commended the 89th for "always getting it right. They never did just enough; they always exceeded the standards." The general welcomed the 49th by stating, "I want to thank you for stepping up and jumping into the breach, and getting on board this train travelling at 100 miles per hour."  

CAMP CROPPER, IRAQ

05.06.2010

Story by Spc. Edward Siguenza 

49th Military Police Brigade

CAMP CROPPER, Iraq -- The 49th Military Police Brigade Tactical Command Post officially replaced the 89th Military Police Brigade during a Transfer of Authority at Camp Cropper, April 24, and assumed responsibility of the last detention center in Iraq operated by United States forces.

The 49th MP Bde. TAC CP, established April 2010, is part of the California Army National Guard's 49th Military Police Brigade, which has been in Iraq since October 2009.

The TAC CP's mission will focus on Camp Cropper's Theatre Internment Facility. The TAC CP's priority is to prepare to transfer the TIF to the Iraqi government by July.

Col. Grace Edinboro, commander of the 49th MP Bde. TAC CP, took over for Col. John Huey, commander of the 89th MP Bde., an active duty Army unit based out of Fort Hood, Texas. During their deployment the 89th closed the Bucca TIF in September 2009 and transferred the Taji TIF to Iraq's Ministry of Justice in March.

These efforts led to Camp Cropper's current status as the "next milestone in U.S. and Iraq relations in building Iraq's correctional system," Col. Huey said.

"To the 49th MP Brigade TAC, I want to thank you for stepping up and jumping into the breach, and getting on board this train travelling at 100 miles per hour," said Maj. Gen. Nelson Cannon, the U.S. Forces-Iraq deputy commanding general for detainee operations and provost marshal general. "Transitions are challenging. And in this business, it brings great risk. But you've all proven yourself up to the task."

"This is a strategic mission for the United States of America. It's important for the Army, it's important for the Armed Forces. It's important for the nation," Edinboro said. "We need to make sure that people under our care and custody are treated with dignity and respect and have all of the rights that are given to them, but are also controlled in a way that gives a positive influence on Iraq and US forces."

The Cropper TIF is a multimillion dollar facility run by the U.S. Army and Iraqi forces. It currently houses more than 2,500 detainees.

The TAC CP will be assisted by Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 705th MP Battalion. The 705th operates the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., the only maximum security prison in the Department of Defense.

The 49th MP Bde., which still presides over its original 4,800-troop, four-battalion command, took charge of an additional 3,000 Soldiers and three battalions through the transfer of authority ceremony between the 89th and the TAC CP.

• Date Taken: 05.06.2010
• Date Posted: 05.06.2010 05:35
• Story ID: 49211
• Location: CAMP CROPPER, IQ