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BAGHDAD - In a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Stryker, Jan. 31, the 40th Military Police Battalion officially assumed command of detainee operations at Camp Cropper from the 105th MP Bn.
With this transfer, the 40th MP Bn., a Fort Leavenworth, Kansas-based interment resettlement unit, becomes the last MP battalion to command the theater interment facility before its scheduled hand-over to the government of Iraq.
“This ceremony marks the final transfer of authority between two MP battalions in support of detainee operations in Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Erica Nelson, commander, 40th MP Bn. “It is an honor to be part of this history. We represent the military branches who work tirelessly before us to ensure this mission happens.”
The 40th MP Bn. was established on June 11, 1945, as a headquarters and headquarters detachment with the 40th MP Service Battalion. During its existence, the battalion served overseas in China, Japan, and Thailand. The unit’s deployment in Iraq marks its first mission in the country.
Maj. Gen. Nelson J. Cannon, deputy commanding general for detainee operations, United States Forces - Iraq, welcomed the new battalion and applauded the soldiers for their efforts.
“To the 40th MP Battalion, welcome aboard,” Cannon said during the ceremony. “Thank you for all your efforts to prepare for this mission and bringing in your high-speed, highly-motivated and highly-qualified soldiers. Transitions always include risks, but you have proved yourself to the tasks.”
Lt. Col. Warren Wintrode, commander, 105th MP Bn., welcomed the incoming battalion and inspired them to face adversity and complete the mission.
“The 40th MP Battalion faces numerous challenges in the months to come,” said Wintrode. “I challenge you to close out the final chapter of detention operations in Iraq and finish strong.”
During Nelson’s speech, she spoke of her appreciation for the efforts of the 105th MP Bn. with their transition.
“I thank Lieutenant Colonel Wintrode, Command Sergeant Major Caswell and your team of professionals from the 105th Military Police Battalion for passing on the knowledge and experience you have gained by doing this mission this past year,” she said. “The challenges you’ve experienced will help us to be successful.”
Nelson concluded her speech with inspiring words for her battalion.
“It is an honor that we will be the last military police battalion to perform detainee operations in Iraq”, she said. “We have trained long and trained hard; we are the right unit, at the
right time and with the right mission.”
By the end of this year, the battalion is scheduled to do the historic hand-over of detainee operations to the Iraqi government, completing the U.S. government’s role in detainee operations in Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2011 05:06 |
| Story ID: | 64869 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 370 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 40th MP Bn commands final detainee ops in Iraq, by MSG Edward Daileg, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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