Wisconsin’s 32nd MP CO’s heads to Guantanamo for nine-month deployment

Photo By Ismael Ortega | Soldiers assigned to the 32nd Military Police Company, Wisconsin Army National Guard, board a flight to Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba July 1.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

07.14.2016

Story by Ismael Ortega 

Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

While most people were celebrating their Fourth of July weekend with barbeques and fireworks, the 32nd Military Police Company from the Wisconsin Army National Guard were departing from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group, here, for Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.

After being validated in detention operations and military police tactics with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, the unit departed for the nine-month deployment overseas.

This will be the first time the unit will deploy to GITMO on a detainee-handling mission, having served in combat support roles in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2004 and 2009-2010. They also deployed to Kosovo in 2011-2012.

When it comes to detainees, the unit has experience in processing prisoners or detainees, handling air transfers and advising prison staff in their past deployments, but never working with them directly.

“(This mission) is unique to our company because this unit has never done detention operations and ran an internment facility,” Capt. Brian Schwacbach, commander, 32nd MP Co., said.

After their notification in late 2014, the unit refined their military police tactics and practices such as riot control, pepper spray, Taser training, as well as completing individual Army Warrior Tasks, online certifications and structured self-development. During this time, Soldiers transitioned from a civilian mindset to an active duty one with the guidance from the noncommissioned officers and mentors.

With a solid foundation of detainee operations gained from months of training and preparation, the command staff said they believe the troops are prepared for the mission at hand.

Having mobilized from here before, the 32nd MP Co. found the facilities and taskforce in charge of their training very accommodating.

“The big thing we want to focus on is for our leaders to be engaged, all the way down to the corporal and team leader levels,” Schwacbach said. “Engaged leadership is really going to be the pillar of success. As long as our leaders stay engaged, the Soldiers will keep it on the tracks when we’re off duty and make sure will get the mission accomplish when we’re on.”

Morale has remained high during the long training days and many are looking forward to working outside the high altitude of El Paso. With the majority of training completed prior to departing, the unit plans on raising the company average above a 270 on the physical fitness test. Other individual goals include furthering their education and participating in intramural sports teams and activities offered by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation program.

With almost three quarters of the company deploying for the first time, Schwacbach is fully aware of the sacrifices made for this mission to the families of the Soldiers.

“Their thoughts, prayers, and continuous support really is what keeps the ship afloat for us, without them in the rear taking care of business for us, supporting us, (would) makes our mission a lot more difficult for us when we deploy,” Schwacbach said. “Thank you … a genuine, heartfelt thank you to the families.”

• Date Taken: 07.14.2016
• Date Posted: 07.18.2016 10:42
• Story ID: 204226
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: MILWAUKEE, WI, US