Multi-National Division – Baghdad Military Police Battalion relinquishes authority after a job well done

Photo By Staff Sgt. Lyndsey Prax | Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 327th Military Police Battalion and 508th MP Bn. render honors to the United States Flag during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, Oct. 16, 2008. The 327th MP Bn. relinquished authority to the 508th MP Bn.  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.16.2008

Story by Pfc. Lyndsey Prax 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Military Police Soldiers gathered together to say farewell to fellow Soldiers and welcome new Soldiers during a Transfer of Authority ceremony on Camp Taji, northwest of Baghdad, Oct. 16, 2008.

Lt. Col. John Faron, commander of the 312th Military Police Battalion, Multi-National Division – Baghdad cased his unit's colors, and just moments later, Lt. Col. Steven Donaldson stepped forward and removed a separate case revealing the colors of 508th Military Police Battalion, MND-B, signifying that he assumes authority and will continue the mission.

"I cannot thank you enough for all of your efforts in the success of this mission and in helping me be successful," Faron, a native of Castle Lake, Ill., told his Soldiers during the ceremony. "I am both humbled and honored to have had the privilege to be leading you through theater and now on our way home."

The 327th MP Bn. spent the first seven months of their deployment at the Theater Internment Facility Reconciliation Center in Ramadi. There they provided area security and facilitated TIFRC construction, as well as captured multiple insurgents including high-value targets.

Three months ago the unit relocated from Ramadi to Capt Taji in order to assist with the construction of the Taji TIFRC.

According to 1st Lt. Yuching Wong, preventative medicine officer with 327th MP Bn., the TIFRC at Camp Taji integrates detention and reintegration programs. The overall goal of the TIFRC is to reintegrate detainees into society with basic education and trade skills, so they can contribute to a peaceful and secure Iraq.

"Your most recent efforts to establish a first class visitation center that was acceptable to us and Iraqi forces as well as being responsive to the needs of the detainees' families, speaks volumes about the foundation of care, custody, dignity and respect for the detainees that will be received here at Taji," Brig. Gen. Robert Kenyon, a native of New Orleans, and 11th MP Brigade commander said to the Soldiers. "The professionalism of the 327th has been dually noted. You can be proud of a job well done and know that your accomplishments here have made Iraq safer from extremists."

While the Soldiers are anxious to get home and be acquainted with their loved ones, the ceremony is a bittersweet moment for many.

"There is still a lot of work to be done and we won't be here to see it through," said Wong, a native of Eden Prairie Minn. "Our mission wasn't a normal military police operation. It was challenging, but very rewarding to do something outside our normal job."

• Date Taken: 10.16.2008
• Date Posted: 10.19.2008 10:58
• Story ID: 25210
• Location: TAJI, IQ