Photo By Adam Holguin | Spc. Jeffrey Thomas Crews, military policeman, 420th Military Police Company, walks...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - The 420th Military Police Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit out of Salt Lake City, began 2015 by returning stateside Jan. 1, arriving at the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Control Group after completing a deployment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
One hundred and three Soldiers from the unit arrived on New Year’s Day and caught up with the six advance party Soldiers who returned prior to the main body. The unit completed a detainee resettlement mission at Guantanamo Bay. After finishing demobilization requirements with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, the unit will depart for their respective homes of record.
“The deployment went great. We were able to accomplish the mission that we were suited for. We are a corrections unit, so it was perfectly suited for our company,” said 1st Lt. Jeffrey Gabriel Jr., company commander, 420th MP Company.
The 420th MP Company spent a little more than nine months at Guantanamo Bay conducting detainee operations, a mission that can become somewhat tedious.
“It can get monotonous; one thing that our company did well, we had a lot of company functions, company barbecues and sponsored events where we got together just to break it up,” said Gabriel.
The unit completed pre-mobilization training at McGregor Range, New Mexico, which provided a chance for first-time deployers and seasoned vets to hone the skills needed to successfully complete the mission.
“Working on the fundamentals, like handcuffing and following the standard operating procedures, that helped us prepare for the deployment because, when you first get to Gitmo, you remember that stuff. How to react to certain things, certain scenarios are thrown at you and it’s just a matter of working them out,” said Spc. Jeffrey Thomas Crews, who deployed for the first time with the 420th MP Company.
“The training helped quite a bit. It helps prepare you for what is coming up, helps you get into the right mindset of what you are going to go through,” said Staff Sgt. Austin Lohman, squad leader, 420th MP Company, who completed his third deployment, and first to Guantanamo Bay.
After spending the better part of 2014 at Guantanamo Bay, Soldiers from the 420th MP Company are ready to enjoy 2015 at home. The confines of the island brought out the want of the open road for Crews, who missed the simple freedom of driving.
“I think I missed most, aside from family, just driving around. Gitmo is only so long, it gets repetitious, just going out into the city and driving around was really missed,” said Crews.
Gabriel recognized that the deployment was not only difficult for the soldiers, but also for the families.
“Whatever we do, we have to recognize the other side of it, the civilian side, and the families’ sacrifice to let their soldiers go for that long. We recognize and appreciate what the families have given as well,” said Gabriel.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2015 18:30 |
| Story ID: | 151558 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 961 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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