Photo By Spc. Gregory Argentieri | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph M. Sanchez III, native of Omaha, Neb., and commander, 192nd...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD—The International Zone Police, soldiers of the 192nd Military Police Detachment, from Nebraska City, Neb., practice room clearing and hone additional combat skills inside the war torn Al Salam Palace, Oct. 14, on Forward Operating Base, Prosperity, Baghdad, Iraq.
In addition to regular training missions, the IZ Police, known as the Blackshirts, are responsible for enforcing law and keeping order for all Department of Defense Soldiers and personnel between FOB Prosperity and FOB Union III, otherwise known as the Green Zone.
The police detachment, consisting of seven soldiers, strengthen their skills by frequently training with their weapons, traffic accident response and evidence collection measures, and other law enforcement tasks and drills.
“Any training is important to law enforcement, because there’s nothing routine,” said 1st Lt. Joseph M. Sanchez III, commander, 192nd MP Det. “You never know what’s going to happen; the situation changes daily, if not by the hour.”
According to Sanchez, a native of Omaha, Neb. and civilian police officer for 11 years, it’s the soldier’s job to find out what works for them and apply it to the situation.
Tactical military training can vary depending on where you are in the world. During the room clearing training, the MPs were taught to incorporate various techniques in addition to the traditional Army way.
“By incorporating other countries tactics at on-location venues, we are well prepared and well equipped to handle any situation and enemy that we approach,” said Sanchez.
Typically, soldiers practice clearing rooms by improvising the situation using sticks in the ground or by clearing empty rooms; however, the Blackshirts embark on a more realistic training environment with the obstacles left behind in the Al Salam Palace.
In addition to their unit training and assisting, protecting and defending a population of a small city, the IZ police assist the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police with their day-to-day mission, from criminal investigations to handling traffic accidents.
“Our biggest priority here is to protect DoD forces within the confines of the Green Zone and to be a liaison to the Iraqi Police,” said Sgt. Michael C. Jarvis, native of Bellevue, Neb., and operations non-commissioned officer in charge, IZ police. “As we transition into Operation New Dawn, it is part of the IZ Police mission to ensure that the Iraqi Police are confident in providing law enforcement for the local populous in the coming years.”
The IZ police mission goes far beyond routine police work, especially in a deployed environment.
“Our mission here in Iraq is a very unique one creating a learning environment, which I can take home with me,” said Pfc. Christopher M. Casey, native of Bellevue, Neb. and military police officer, IZ Police. “Besides normal, everyday patrols, I am able to utilize my Soldier skills and interact with local nationals.”
Once their mission is complete and year-long deployment comes to a close, the 192nd MP Det. will return to the Families at their Omaha and Lincoln, Neb. homes.
“Much like the blackshirt defense of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, the IZ Police “Blackshirts” will not rest until the mission is complete and we are victorious,” said Sanchez.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2010 09:54 |
| Story ID: | 58672 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 394 |
| Downloads: | 8 |
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