Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | A Paratrooper assigned to the Military Police Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Paratroopers assigned to the Military Police Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, conducted a patrol in neighborhoods surrounding Forward Operating Base Loyalty in eastern Baghdad, Jan. 14.
The MPs conduct the patrols twice a day for two reasons. The first is to partner with national police officers at checkpoints and get familiarized with the surrounding area. The second is to interact with Iraqi citizens and let them know coalition forces are here to assist in keeping them safe.
"We visit the NP checkpoints to work with them and let them know we are here to help," said Sgt. Richard Sheetz, a team leader with the MP platoon, who is a native of Galloway, N.J.
"We have seen how the NP operate in the short time we have been here," he said. "They are checking cars and moving traffic. They are doing the things they are supposed to do. Additionally, we like to let our presence known and tell the Iraqi people we are here and we care."
Typically, an MP serves in a law enforcement capacity on military installations back in the United States. In combat however, MPs can be put in a number of different roles, explained Sheetz, adding that the MPs are trained in both tasks: a home station or "garrison" role and a combat role.
The Soldiers can perform in operations typically performed by infantry Soldiers, such as searching for improvised-explosive devices and providing convoy security. In fact, Sheetz said, MPs are often times considered "a jack of all trades."
Although some in the neighborhood appeared apprehensive at first, the frequent MP patrols have been praised by residents for helping to keep their neighborhoods safe.
"They were a little scared and hid away from us in the beginning," said Sheetz. "But now, they understand who we are, and they are getting to know us. They are starting to talk and provide us with information."
The frequent patrols have also been credited for allowing Paratroopers on their first deployment to quickly become adjusted to operations in a war environment.
"I am confident in driving around the neighborhoods now," said Pvt. Rudy Cardona, a driver with the MP Platoon and a native of Mansfield, Texas. "I was nervous at first about the roads because they are tight and there is a lot of traffic, but the experience has helped me along the way.
"Our leaders are always reminding us to be aware of IEDs and muzzle awareness," he added. "It is something we are contently being stressed on."
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2009 12:46 |
| Story ID: | 28969 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 253 |
| Downloads: | 215 |
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