545th concludes second OIF mission

Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Soldiers from the 545th Military Police Company listen to Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade, following the May 16 End of Mission Ceremony at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Gen. Currier presides over the active duty unit from Fort Richardson, Alaska. He commended the 545th for its historic effort this Operation Iraqi Freedom tour.  

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ

05.16.2010

Story by Spc. Edward Siguenza 

49th Military Police Brigade

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The "Polar Bear's Finest" are leaving the hot zone and heading back to normal climate.

The 545th Military Police Company cased its colors May 16 and signified the end of its yearlong Operation Iraqi Freedom mission. In a matter of days, more than 170 Soldiers will return to Fort Richardson, Alaska, with honor and praise for a job well done.

"Our legacy stands all over Iraq. This is the second rotation for this unit for Operation Iraqi Freedom doing Police Transition Team missions. We've made our mark in PTT from the basic skills all the way up to advanced law enforcement," said Capt. Michael T. Mixon, 545th commander. "As we leave Operation Iraqi Freedom, we leave behind a lot of memories and a lot of successes. A lot of memories we will hold with us from our fallen warriors as well."

Tabbed as the "Arctic Defenders" in lieu of "Polar Bear's Finest," the 545th patrolled more than 30,000 miles conducting about 1,330 PTT missions, Mixon explained. The unit dispersed Soldiers through various northern Iraq regions to train Iraqi police. They taught different principles of police operations ranging from evidence collection to finger-printing suspects.

Mixon said, PTT missions and aiding the drawdown of US forces were his unit's mainstays. The 545th helped close a forward operating base and moved its headquarters multiple times "In order to better support PTT operations as well as the Iraqi police."

"The sustainment of our Iraqi Police Academy that we had in downtown Balad. That was a key role for us," the commander added. "It was paramount to the advanced law enforcement investigative skills for the Iraqi Police. It really showed they had the ability to target criminals and terrorists and gather evidence correctly to convict them."

First Sgt. Connie Dementer, 545th first sergeant, credited the unit's partnership with Iraqi police as a key to their success.

"It was incredible to watch our Soldiers interact with their Iraqi counterparts, to see how far they've come along and actually to receive respect from the Iraqi police. It was an awesome experience," Dementer said.

A moment of silence was held for three Soldiers. Last September, Staff Sgt. Shannon Smith and Pfcs. Zachary Myers and Thomas Lyons died while on mission.

"The 545th Military Police Company will never forget their fallen. We'll never forget their contributions. We'll never forget the sacrifices they gave," said Cpl. Gregory Mack, a team leader and former roommate of one of the deceased.

"They will always be remembered. They're our brothers," Dementer added. "They will always be part of the 545th. Their legacy with the 545th will always be there as well as with the Military Police Corps. We all miss them. They will never be forgotten."

The 545th is one of the most decorated US military police companies. It has served in World War II and in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. It aided the liberation and defense of Kuwait in the early 1990s and now concludes its second OIF deployment.

"(Lt. Col. Henry Giles, 317th Military Police Battalion commander) tells me that you're the best unit in the battalion," Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade, said afterward. "There are a lot of reasons why a company is great. It takes good Soldiers, first and foremost it takes good noncommissioned officer leadership, and it takes a good commander. I think you all have a perfect mix and a willingness to complement each other's strengths."

Their efforts were exemplified by the awarding of 53 Combat Action Badges, one Army Commendation Medal with Valor, three Purple Hearts, 29 Bronze Star Medals, 124 Army Commendation Medals and 15 Impact Army Achievement Medals.

"All those missions you did, those thousands of missions, they made a difference," added Currier. "They're built on the momentum of those MPs who came before you. We're making a difference, an important difference to the country."

• Date Taken: 05.16.2010
• Date Posted: 05.29.2010 04:34
• Story ID: 50485
• Location: JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ