Welcome Home: The 16th Military Police Brigade Returns from Europe

Photo By 1st Lt. Joy Ngonangon | Soldiers assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade return back to Fort Bragg, N.C. to reunite with their families June 27, 2022 following a five-month deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. The brigade was rapidly deployed to Europe in February to reinforce and reassure our NATO allies.  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

07.18.2022

Story by 1st Lt. Joy Ngonangon 

XVIII Airborne Corps Public Affairs

Throughout the month of July, friends and family members of the 16th Military Police Brigade greeted their Soldiers with banners, smiling faces, and cheers upon their return after five months overseas.

Approximately 250 personnel from the 16th Military Police Brigade and support elements from 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, 35th Signal Brigade, 44th Medical Brigade, and 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion established Task Force 16 and rapidly deployed to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Area of Responsibility in early February 2022.

Pfc. Tattum Truex, a Military Police Soldier assigned to the 65th Military Police Company (Airborne), said the welcome home ceremony was a heartwarming experience.

“Offloading the plane, being greeted by our leadership, and seeing our friends and families was more than what we could have asked for,” said Truex. “Seeing all of the reunited families was an amazing experience, and it showed the sacrifices people made for this deployment.”

Under the command of Col. Sharon R. Lyght and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher T. Allison, the task force mission was to reinforce and reassure their North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies. The unit assisted American citizens, established relationships with officials from the Department of the State, and worked with non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross among other major accomplishments.

Col. Lyght applauded the task force for maintaining a positive presence in EUCOM.

“Our mission was to support our NATO Allies and fortify the eastern flank of Europe," Lyght said. "CSM Allison and I are extremely proud of the achievements of the Soldiers and leaders in the task force, and the 16th Military Police Brigade over the course of these five months. Their readiness, professionalism and discipline are of the highest caliber.”

Simultaneously, other units from the 16th Military Police Brigade worked alongside their NATO Allies in support of Task Force 82. Collectively, the units conducted training with Soldiers from Romania, Poland, and Germany to gather a shared understanding of capabilities and facilitate mutual trust.

For many Soldiers and leaders in the formation, the sight of home symbolized relief after months of uncertainty and high alert.

One of those junior leaders, SGT Stephen Olivares, a team leader in the 16th Military Police Brigade, shared his thoughts on the deployment. He knew his unit was ready and able to execute the mission in spite of the no-notice order to deploy.

“Leading Soldiers on this deployment tested my knowledge and abilities to adapt to any situation,” said Olivares. “I am thankful for the opportunity to assist the global efforts to support our Allies. Our unit’s confidence in each other allowed us to accomplish incredible things in a short period of time.”

Maj. Gen. Brian J. Mennes, Deputy Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps, and Brig. Gen. John P. Cobgill, Chief of Staff of XVIII Airborne Corps, greeted the Soldiers as they offloaded the planes. The senior leaders applauded the resiliency of Family members and recognized the tireless support and sacrifices made by military spouses and their children.

Jackie Nemeth, wife of 1st Sgt. Jeremiah Nemeth and Soldier Family Readiness Group (SFRG) Leader, commented on the strength and resolve it took for her family to endure the deployment.

“As a military spouse, I pride myself on how resilient our family is, but it doesn’t make deployments any easier,” said Nemeth. “We are so grateful to finally have our family complete again.”

The returning units will maintain high levels of readiness as they reintegrate, refit, and designate time with their families. The leaders of Task Force 16 will share best practices, refine systems, and develop new processes in preparation for the next global response.

Capt. Kelsey J. Herridge, commander of the 65th Military Police Company (Airborne), said it was great to see families reunited after so many months apart and applauded her team with a job well-done.

“We are thankful for our Families and their unwavering support,” Herridge said. “We are extremely proud of the 65th Military Police Company’s accomplishments and its ability to remain ready and provide support when called upon.”

• Date Taken: 07.18.2022
• Date Posted: 07.19.2022 23:42
• Story ID: 425259
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US