Photo By Capt. Nadia Rossin | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael ‘Travis’ Nicholson, 508th Military Police Detention...... read more read more
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – As hundreds of boots move across the flight line, some eager to return home and some eager to begin their new mission, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael ‘Travis’ Nicholson, 508th Military Police Detention Battalion commander and former Task Force Guardian commander, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Pearson, 508th Military Police Detention Battalion senior enlisted leader, stand ready to meet the team that will carry the Task Force Guardian mission forward at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 10, 2025.
The 508th Military Police Detention Battalion and the 67th Military Police Company began transitioning command of Task Force Guardian to the 97th Military Police Battalion and the 194th Military Police Company assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. Since Joint Task Force Southern Guard stood up in February 2025, the 508th MP BN (D) has provided critical security for the Department of Homeland Security’s illegal alien holding operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Upon their arrival, the 508th MP BN (D) established what is now known as Task Force Guardian. Their joint team, comprised of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines with a variety of specialties, is responsible for providing internal and external security while illegal aliens await their safe and humane return to their home countries.
“Many of our personnel have never operated in a joint environment, but task force leadership built a cohesive team quickly and we felt welcomed from day one,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Travis Nicholson, 508th MP BN (D) commander and former Task Force Guardian commander. “Specifically, as a multi-component Army element within the Joint Task Force, our voices were heard and helped quickly shape operations to ensure illegal aliens are safe, secure and humanely treated.”
To date, Task Force Guardian has successfully ensured the safety of more than 660 illegal aliens transferred to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
Extensive planning, detailed continuity handovers and coordination across multiple units have led up to this point. From ensuring sufficient bed space to maintaining secure facilities and trained personnel, every aspect of the mission has been reviewed and refined to set the incoming team up for success.
“The way you receive and send people off is indicative of the quality of your unit and your commitment to taking care of your people and the mission they carry forward,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. David Ickles, Joint Task Force Southern Guard commander.
This transfer of authority marks a key moment in the JTF-SG mission. It represents both a change in leadership and the final deployment of the Army’s last active duty detention battalion.
“With the 508th inactivating this fall, this deployment was a significant moment for our organization and the U.S. Army Military Police Corps,” Nicholson said. “It was our final opportunity to showcase our expertise, talent and ability to execute with precision. Our legacy lies in the operational framework we built. One that reflects professionalism, safety and humanity.”
Reflecting on the unit’s departure, Nicholson also shared his thoughts on the team stepping in next.
“The 97th MP BN is trained and ready to assume the mission and provide the same world class, professional corrections support to the task force,” Nicholson said. “We’ve enjoyed our time with the 97th MP BN. They are a great organization whom I know will see the mission through.”
Looking ahead, the 97th MP BN, alongside the 194th MP Co., will continue the mission where the 508th left off.
“Task Force Guardian priorities are the welfare of our service members and partners, refinement of our systems and processes, and unity of effort to ensure mission success,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sieker, 97th MP BN commander and Task Force Guardian commander. “This mission plays a vital role in returning illegal aliens to their home country and ensuring safe and humane operations at Camp VI. Our operational success will be and has always been tied to our service members’ professionalism and dedication to mission accomplishment.”
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2025 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 543331 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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