Military unit
The 16th Military Police Brigade is a military police brigade of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. This brigade has the only airborne-qualified military police units in the U.S. Army, outside of the 82nd MP Company[1] of the 82nd Airborne Division. It provides law enforcement and police duties to Fort Liberty, and for the XVIII Airborne Corps when deployed. As a brigade with organic airborne units, it is authorized a beret flash and parachute wing trimming,[2] and the shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized to be worn with an airborne tab. According to U.S. Army's Institute of Heraldry, the shoulder sleeve insignia "was amended to delete the airborne tab effective 16 October 2008" when jump status of the brigade was terminated;[3] however, various elements of the brigade remain on jump status.
Insignia
Shoulder Insignia
Description
- On a dark green oblong arched at top and base a light green globe with dark green gridlines bearing a five pointed yellow star.
Symbolism
- Green and yellow are the colors used for Military Police, and a star is emblematic of that branch of service. A star also connotes leadership and authority. The arrowhead is a symbol for military preparedness and protection. All of the above, along with the globe, symbolize the overall mission capabilities, and operational sphere of the organization.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
- A gold insignia consisting of a diagonal band divided throughout by a radiant partition line gold and scarlet, all within a green annulet, the upper part inscribed with the motto 'Combat Support' in gold letters and the lower part surmounted by two gold sprigs of oak leaves; overall an upright white sword.
Symbolism
- The sword surmounting the band of flames represents military justice overcoming the fires of conflict and violence. The design refers to the basic mission of the Military Police Corps, the maintenance of law and order. The white sword, used on the insignia of many U.S. Army organizations in Vietnam and the colors red and yellow from the Flag of the Republic of Vietnam stand for service in that country. The oak leaves are for strength and also allude to the state tree of Maryland where the unit was originally organized. The colors green and yellow are for the Military Police Corps.
History
Vietnam War
The brigade dates back to the Vietnam War when it was constituted on 23 March 1966 as the 16th Military Police Group and activated on 20 May 1966 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.[4] Shortly thereafter, the brigade deployed to Vietnam to help fight the Vietnam War. The Group provided command, control, staff planning, and coordination for military police units assigned and attached to the I and II Corps Tactical Zones.
The 93rd, 97th, and 504th Military Police Battalions were under its control.
The unit participated in thirteen campaigns to include nine counteroffensives and two consolidations during the Vietnam War receiving two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Republic Of Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry With Palm for their outstanding effort and dedication.[4]
Cold War Era
On 16 July 1981 the group was reorganized and redesignated as the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne).[4] Since Vietnam, the brigade headquarters has deployed around the world in support of XVIII Airborne Corps and on-going Army operations.
In October 1983, the headquarters was sent to Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury.[4] In March 1988, the brigade went to Panama in support of southern command's operation to secure US civilians and property and to protect the canal. In September 1989, the brigade was sent to Saint Croix in the US Virgin Islands to restore law and order and protect property following hurricane Hugo.[4] In December 1989, the brigade again went to Panama this time in support of Operation Just Cause and Promote Liberty during which the brigade was instrumental in standing up the Panamanian police force.[5] in August 1990, the brigade deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The brigade was later recognized for its hard work in the desert with their third Meritorious Unit Commendation.[5] September 1992 the brigade went to Florida to assist in disaster relief following Hurricane Andrew. In September 1994, the brigade was sent to Haiti to support Operation Uphold Democracy.[5]
War on Terrorism
In August 2006, the brigade deployed for 15 months to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where they were responsible for detainee operations and convoy security at Camp Bucca, along with detainee operations at The Baghdad Correctional Facility (Camp Cropper). The Unit also worked with Task Force 134 at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. The brigade was awarded its fourth Meritorious Unit Commendation for the outstanding mission accomplishments in Iraq.
The soldiers of the brigade have consistently been sent first to worldwide hot spots and crisis locations. Other operations that brigade units have supported were:
- May 1981 Cuban Refugee Relief, Florida,
- Civil disturbance operations at Seneca Army Depot, New York,
- Rotations to the Sinai for multinational force and observers duty,
- Presidential inaugurations,
- Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras, Somalia, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Bosnia, Kosovo,
- Albanian refugee support at Fort Dix,
- Pentagon security following the attacks of 11 September 2001,
- Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan
The 91st MP battalion, 385th MP Battalion, and 503rd MP Battalion were deployed to Afghanistan, conducting operations in Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces. Unique to military police units, each battalion contains a Military Working Dog Detachment, which certifies military working dog teams to help support both MP and non-MP units worldwide.[6]
Units
Administratively assigned:
83rd Civil Affairs Battalion – Fort Liberty
