Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Siguenza | Three military police companies and one chemical unit, along with a headquarters...... read more read more
By PFC ANDREA TORRES and STAFF SGT. EDDIE SIGUENZA
California National Guard
LANCASTER, Calif. — The California Army National Guard welcomed a new unit to its heralded military police family.
The 143rd Military Police Battalion (Detention) held its activation ceremony Nov. 17 at its Lancaster readiness center, signifying the start of a new operation to its already-experienced field. Operating under the 49th MP Brigade, the 143rd unites three MP companies, a chemical unit and headquarters element under its command.
“These companies stand ready to support the California National Guard for both federal missions and state emergency civil support missions,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dillon Haynes, 143rd commander. “I anticipate that the 143rd will continue to be a very active unit within the California National Guard. As a provisional unit, the battalion supported two major wildfire response missions in northern and southern California. Additionally, the battalion conducted annual training events in Washington, Indiana, Nevada, and multiple locations in California. One company is currently mobilizing to deploy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.”
The 143rd extends the arm of the 49th, which had operated with two battalions for many years. The 185th MP Battalion and 579th Engineer Battalion now serve as the 143rd’s sister units.
“The 143rd fits into the 49th Brigade’s operation plans by providing a tertiary battalion-level mission command element,” added Maj. Leroy Alveranga, 143rd operations officer. “Additionally, it extends the brigade’s span of influence among civilian authorities and improves the span control of all is outlying companies in Southern California.”
Prior to the 143rd’s existence, the 185th had command and control of six MP Companies located across California, added Alveranga. But now the 143rd will oversee three MP units that are southern California based: 40th MP Company (Los Alamitos), 330th MP Company (Ontario) and 670th MP Company (National City). The 140th Chemical Company is also based in Gardena.
Military police are law enforcement personnel. They protect lives and property by enforcing laws and regulations. In recent years, MPs were heavily relied upon for wildfire emergencies. assisting local and state law enforcement by operating traffic points as well as preventing crime.
“The 143rd is the southernmost battalion within the 49th MP Brigade,” added Capt. Rizalina Arce, 143rd Headquarters Company commander and projects officer. “The 143rd will fully support the 49th’s mission and will provide the brigade’s primary effort to southern California state emergencies.”
The activation ceremony “signified the 143rd’s official existence as the only detention battalion within the 49th and California Army National Guard, Arce explained.
Added Haynes: “The battalion colors were uncased for the first time, displaying the official unit crest. The battalion colors are the commander's symbol of authority, representing my responsibilities to the battalion.”
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2018 21:07 |
| Story ID: | 301093 |
| Location: | LANCASTER, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,976 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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