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153rd Military Police Company (United States)
Encyclopedia
Delaware Army National Guard
The Delaware National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a...
. The 153rd MP Company, founded in 1996, is home stationed at Fort DuPont
Fort DuPont
Fort DuPont, named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, is located between Delaware City and the modern Chesapeake and Delaware Canal on the original Reeden Point tract, which was granted to Henry Ward in 1675. The first fortification built was the Ten Gun Battery, an auxiliary to...
in Delaware City, Delaware. Since 1996 the 153rd has conducted missions in Panama, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, as well as various locations across the Continental United States.
History
Since 1996 the 153rd Military Police Company has conducted operations in support of Operation Roving Sands, Operation Blue Crab, Operation Enduring Freedom, Hurricane Katrina Relief, Operation Jump StartOperation Jump Start
Operation Jump Start was a plan to aid U.S. Customs and Border Patrol , announced by President George W. Bush in May 2006. It included the deployment of United States National Guard troops along the Mexico–United States border. The mission entailed enforcement of border security and construction...
, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.
Operation Enduring Freedom
In September 2002 the 153rd Military Police Company was deployed to Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia, conducting force protection operations. The Delaware military police unit was augmented with one platoon from the 28th Military Police Company from the Pennsylvania National Guard's 28th Infantry Division. The two MP units were under the command and control of the Third United States Army during the 9-month deployment.Hurricane Katrina Relief
On 31 August 2005 "Taskforce Delaware" composed of 153rd MPs and the Delaware Air National Guard's 166th Security Forces deployed to Gulfport, Mississippi in response to Hurricane Katrina. The joint taskforce operated 24-hour traffic control points, roving patrols, presence patrols, as well as conducting humanitarian operations in the Gulfport, Long Beach, Biloxi, and Pass Christian areas.Operation Iraqi Freedom
From 6 June 2007 – 28 May 2008, the 153rd MP Company was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the deployment the 153rd was attached to the HHC of the 18th Military Police Brigade, as well as administratively attached to the 720th Military Police Battalion. The company's main body was based out of Camp Liberty, and its 3rd Platoon element based out of FOB Kalsu, south of Baghdad. 3rd Platoon "Punishers" were under the tactical control of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.The 1st Platoon "Smokin' Aces" provided police training and health and welfare inspections at the Criminal Investigative Division Academy, and training the Protective Services Detail (PSD) of the CID Iraqi Commanding General. They conducted training classes on weapons safety, combat life saving techniques, vehicle searches, handcuffing, armed/unarmed self defense, as well as personal search techniques. First Platoon also conducted the National Level PTT mission at the CID Headquarters, and conducted combat patrols and PSD for the 89th and 18th Military Police Brigades.
Second Platoon "War Pigs" conducted force protection at the Iraqi Police Academies at Fiji and Furat, and conducted one of the largest daylight logistics mission delivering donated Japanese motorcycles to the Iraqi Traffic Police. Second Platoon elements also conducted several humanitarian operations to local schools and medical centers.
The Operations Platoon "Blacksheep" operated a 24-hour tactical operations center (TOC), conducted combat patrols, and PTT missions to the prison at CID Headquarters. Operations Platoon elements were also detached to provide protective services for General Raymond T. Odierno
Raymond T. Odierno
Raymond T. Odierno is a United States Army general and the 38th and current Chief of Staff of the Army. Odierno most recently commanded United States Joint Forces Command from October 2010 until its disestablishment in August 2011. He served as Commanding General, United States Forces – Iraq and...
, Commanding General, III Corps.
The 3rd Platoon element was fundamental in opening an IP station in Arab Jabour area, south of Baghdad. Third Platoon also conducted Sons of Iraq (SOI) training, recruitment, and provided medical assistance to local civilians.
Unit decorations
| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Governor's Meritorious Unit Award | 2002–2003 | For service in Saudi Arabia | |
| Delaware National Guard Unit Strength Award | 2007–2008 | For maintaining unit strength | |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation | 2007–2008 | Operation: Iraqi Freedom |
Missions
| Mission | Location | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Panama | Panama Canal | 1997–1998 |
| Operation Roving Sands | Fort Bliss, Texas | 1999 |
| Operation Blue Crab | Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD | 2000 |
| Operation Enduring Freedom | Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia | 2002–2003 |
| Hurricane Katrina Relief | Gulfport, Mississippi | 2005 |
| Operation Jump Start | Ajo, Arizona | 2007 |
| Operation Iraqi Freedom | Baghdad, Iraq | 2007–2008 |
| 56th Presidential Inauguration, | Washington, D.C. | 2009 |