Photo By Spc. Anthony Zane | (Left to right) Spc. Patrick Allen, Pfc. Jonathan Moran, Spc. Shane Brignac, and Sgt....... read more read more
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TALlIL, Iraq – There is always a need for a law enforcement presence to ensure security on an overseas-military base. That presence is just as important as it is in the civilian world.
First platoon from the 239th Military Police Company, an Army National Guard unit from Carville, La., provides that presence on Contingency Operating Base Adder as part of Operation New Dawn.
“Our mission here is a law and order operations mission,” said 1st Lt. James Novak, provost marshal and 1st Platoon Leader, from Baton Rouge, La. Novak has been an MP for almost 10 years, and a civilian police officer for three years.
Being a military police officer doesn’t differ that much from being a civilian police officer, said Novak. The basic functions of law enforcement practices are the same.
“Training is conducted before every shift,” said Novak. "Any pertinent information from the previous shift such as anything they need to lookout for is passed on to the next shift.”
Base patrols are important to ensure security and maintain a police presence on base.
“We are base security, as police on base,” said Spc. Patrick Allen, also an MP with 1st Platoon. “We patrol the streets and do traffic stops. We also handle cases such as traffic accidents, larcenies, assault cases, anything along those lines.”
In addition to these civil-policing operations, the unit conducts training to increase their readiness in the event they are tasked for additional missions beyond their current daily routine.
“The biggest thing that we’re training for right now is the missions our sister platoons have throughout the other areas in Iraq,” said Novak.
Additional missions the 239th MP Company has trained for include external base perimeter security, and the proper protocol of escorting high-profile dignitaries.
“It’s the first law and order mission I’ve been on since becoming an MP and my first time doing garrison work,” said Allen. “As far as the job goes out here, it’s been a good mission. I’ve had a lot of different experiences as far as military police work.”
Much of the success of the platoon can be attributed to their teamwork.
“It’s just like we’re family here,” said Allen. “Everybody keeps each other’s heads on, and we keep one another focused on the mission.”
Camaraderie is an essential part of any mission, and helps soldiers get through a deployment.
“We’ve all gained a lot of experience here,” said Novak. “Everybody comes out of this mission with a way to put a good foot forward, and will have something they will be able to fall back on once they get into society… job skills such as being a police officer.”
| Date Taken: | 10.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2011 07:54 |
| Story ID: | 78298 |
| Location: | TALLIL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 345 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Keeping law and order on COB Adder, by SPC Anthony Zane, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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