West Virginia Army National Guard Military Police Battalion begins 1st deployment in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. James P. McHugh and Command Sgt. Maj. Johnny Jackson unfurl the battalion colors for the 151st Military Police Battalion as the Army Institute of Heraldry authorization is read Nov. 11, at Camp Dunham, Al Taqaddum, Iraq. The 151st belongs to the West Virginia National Guard as is on its maiden deployment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Means)  

AL TAQADDUM, IRAQ

11.11.2009

Courtesy Story

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

1st Lt. Matt Izzo, Adjutant, 151st Military Police Battalion
Multi National Force - West Public Affairs

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq — A detachment of military police belonging to the oldest U.S. military service — the national guard -- began Veteran's Day 2009 with a small color uncasing ceremony at their new home on Camp Dunham, Al Taqaddum , Iraq.

Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the 151st Military Police Battalion, West Virginia Army National Guard, uncased its colors for its first ever deployment since its formation Oct. 1, 2004.

Soldiers from the 585th Military Police Company of the Ohio Army National Guard and the 591st Military Police Company, an active duty Army unit from Fort Bliss, Texas, participated in the brief ceremony.

During the ceremony, battalion commander, Lt. Col. James McHugh, and Command Sergeant Major Johnny Jackson, proudly uncased the battalion flag as the Department of the Army Institute of Heraldry authorization was read.

The 151st Military Police Battalion is the only Military Police unit, with the exception of the Military Police Regiment, to be authorized to use the "Harper's Ferry" crossed pistols on their distinctive unit insignia.

"The 151st is proud to stand here with the 591st and 585th MP companies, said McHugh. "As we begin this very important mission here at Al Taqaddum, we must be vigilant and avoid complacency."
McHugh thanked the Soldiers for their own personal sacrifices and their sense of patriotism.

He charged his company commanders with carrying out their orders for a successful mission, and the Soldiers returned to their duties with a noticeable sense of pride, enthusiasm and the knowledge that Veteran's Day will always be a special memory and piece of history for those who serve under the colors of the 151st.

• Date Taken: 11.11.2009
• Date Posted: 12.01.2009 13:29
• Story ID: 42208
• Location: AL TAQADDUM, IQ