CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The 114th Military Police Company officially relieved the 297th MP Company of its mission in Kuwait on Dec. 6th, 2019, during a transfer of authority ceremony held at Camp Arifjan.
The Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers of the 297th joined with others from the Area Support - Kuwait footprint as the 114th Military Police from the Mississippi Army National Guard Soldiers assumed responsibility of military police operations . The transfer of authority (TOA) ceremony is a long-standing U.S. military tradition that marks the official passing of the torch from the outgoing unit to the incoming one.
The 297th MP ‘Wolfpack’ completed countless missions for base security and safety in Kuwait, said Capt. Kevin Fulmer, 297th company commander.
“The working relationships, the exercises, key leader engagements and 24 hour missions accomplished has given us experience, training, and memories that we will truly never forget,” said Fulmer.
The 114th commander, Capt. Margaret Krisle, spoke about the preparation of this deployment during an interview earlier this year where they went to the 297th’s home state of Alaska for annual training.
“We have been hard-charging in preparation for this deployment,” said Krisle.
Staff Sgt. Bryce Berry, a member of Krisle’s team, explained what it is like coming from the States and starting a mission overseas.
“We’ve been all over the world and we have been in our own hometowns doing missions,” said Berry. “A mission like this is something that military police look forward to doing - a law enforcement mission - and we cannot wait to get the job done.”
The 297th is scheduled to redeploy to Alaska later this month, just in time for the holidays.