16th Military Police Brigade (United States)

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16th Military Police Brigade (ABN)
16th MP Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Active	May 20, 1966 - Present
Country	USA
Branch	Regular Army
Garrison/HQ	Fort Bragg
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	COL John C. Chambliss
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia

The 16th Military Police Brigade (ABN) is the only airborne MP brigade in the US Army. Located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 16th MP BDE provides garrison law enforcement and force protection to the Fort Bragg community, and continues training in its combat support mission.

Contents 1 Organization 2 History 3 Lineage 4 Honors 4.1 Campaign Participation Credit 4.2 Decorations 5 References

[edit] Organization

1. 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne)
2. 21st Military Police Company (Airborne)
3. 23rd Military Police Company (Airborne)
4. 65th Military Police Company (Airborne)
5. 108th Military Police Company (Airborne) (Air Assault)
6. 118th Military Police Company (Airborne)
7. 42nd Military Police Detachment

[edit] History

The brigade dates back to the Vietnam conflict when it was constituted on March 23, 1966 as the 16th Military Police Group and activated on May 20, 1966 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. The unit participated in thirteen campaigns to include nine counteroffensives and two consolidations during the Vietnam conflict receiving two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Republic Of Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry With Palm for their outstanding effort and dedication. On 16 July 1981 the group was reorganized and redesignated as the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne). 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. 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. In December of 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. 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. September of 1992 the brigade went to Florida to assist in disaster relief following hurricane Andrew. In September of 1994, the brigade was sent to Haiti to support Operation Uphold Democracy. Most recently, In January 2004, the brigade deployed for one year to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where they were responsible for detainee operations and convoy security at Camp Bucca. 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 world wide hot spots and crisis locations. Other operations that brigade units have supported were:

1. May 1981 Cuban Refugee Relief, Florida,
2. Civil disturbance operations at Seneca Army Depot, New York,
3. Rotations to the Sinai for multinational force and observers duty,
4. Presidential inaugurations,
5. Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras, Somalia, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Bosnia, Kosovo,
6. Albanian refugee support at Fort Dix,
7. Pentagon security following the attacks of september 11, 2001,
8. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Currently the 21st military police company is deployed to Baghdad, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[edit] Lineage

• Constituted March 23, 1966 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 16th Military Police Group
• Activated May 20, 1966 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
• Reorganized and redesignated July 16, 1981 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Military Police Brigade

[edit] Honors

[edit] Campaign Participation Credit

• Vietnam:

1. Counteroffensive, Phase II;
2. Counteroffensive, Phase III;
3. Tet Counteroffensive;
4. Counteroffensive, Phase IV;
5. Counteroffensive, Phase V;
6. Counteroffensive, Phase VI;
7. Tet/69 Counteroffensive;
8. Summer-Fall 1969;
9. Winter-Spring 1970;
10. Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
11. Counteroffensive, Phase VII;
12. Consolidation I;
13. Consolidation II

• Armed Forces Expeditions:

1. Panama
2. Southwest Asia:
   1. Defense of Saudi Arabia;
   2. Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
3. Iraq:
   1. Operation Iraqi Freedom

• Contingencies

1. Panama – Law and order
2. Saint Croix – Hurricane Relief
3. Florida – Hurricane Relief
4. Haiti – Operation Uphold Democracy

[edit] Decorations

1. Meritorious Unit Commendation for VIETNAM 1966-1968
2. Meritorious Unit Commendation for VIETNAM 1968-1969
3. Meritorious Unit Commendation for SOUTHWEST ASIA
4. Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation Iraqi Freedom
5. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1971

[edit] References

• 16th Military Police Brigade Website