Local Guardsmen return from year-long deployment/2228th Military Police Company welcomed home from Iraq

Photo By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang | Governor Bobby Jindal greets Soldiers at a redeployment reception for the Louisiana Army National Guard's 2228th Military Police Company, 773rd Military Police Battalion after a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hundreds of friends, family members and fellow Soldiers gathered at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., to welcome the 160 Troops home, March 6.  

PINEVILLE, UNITED STATES

03.06.2009

Story by Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang 

Louisiana National Guard

PINEVILLE, La. – Hundreds of friends, family members and fellow Guardsmen gathered anxiously to await the return of their Louisiana Army National Guard Soldiers, after a year-long deployment to Iraq, at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., March 6.

After a successful mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, approximately 160 military policemen from the 2228th Military Police Company, 773rd Military Police Battalion, of Pineville, were welcomed home by Governor Bobby Jindal and Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, LANG adjutant general.

"It's an honor to welcome home these brave soldiers," said Jindal. "These courageous Soldiers and their families have made a tremendous sacrifice for all of us."

"This is a great day for the Soldiers, their families and for the Louisiana National Guard," Landreneau said.

"We had so many veterans, family members and supporters from the community come out to show their appreciation and gratitude to these Soldiers," he continued. "It really recognizes them for what they are ... true American heroes."

While deployed, the 2228th performed Police Transition Team operations, large scale operations conducted by coalition forces to assist in the policing and training of Iraqi police forces.

The company conducted more than 700 combat missions throughout the country without serious injury or loss of Soldiers. "As you can imagine, it is such a great feeling having all of your Troops come back home with you," said Capt. Bruce E. Billings of Denham Springs, La., 2228th company commander.

With an impressive list of accomplishments, the company conducted more than 15 professional law enforcement courses, which successfully trained approximately 700 senior Iraqi police officers at the Hammarabi Training Academy. The unit also implemented the first Field Training Officer program responsible for accelerating Iraqi police performance standards in the Haditha District and organized and trained the Special Reaction Team in the Hit District to rapidly respond to various emergency situations.

"This was just a great group to command. These Soldiers were flexible and professional at all times, and whatever the Army asked of them, they did," Billings added.

The unit, originally formed in October 2004, occupied an area covering more than 35,000-square miles. While not deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism, they provide first-line defense for state emergencies, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, where they assisted in civil disturbances, security missions, and rescue and recovery operations.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2009
• Date Posted: 03.08.2009 10:57
• Story ID: 30872
• Location: PINEVILLE, US