| Unit Name: | 16th Military Police Brigade |
| Dates: | 20 May 1966 – present |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Type: | Active duty |
| Role: | Military Police |
| Size: | Brigade |
| Command Structure: | XVIII Airborne Corps |
| Current Commander: | COL Charcillea A. Schaefer |
| Commander2: | CSM David L. May III |
| Commander2 Label: | Command Sergeant Major |
| Garrison: | Fort Liberty |
| Ceremonial Chief: | Rogue Warrior 2.0 |
| Motto: | Long Arm of The Dragon |
| Battles: | Vietnam War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Combat service identification badge with and without Airborne Tab |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Distinctive unit insignia of the brigade |
The 16th Military Police Brigade is a military police brigade of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. This brigade has the only airborne-qualified military police units in the U.S. Army, outside of the 82nd MP Company[1] of the 82nd Airborne Division. It provides law enforcement and police duties to Fort Liberty, and for the XVIII Airborne Corps when deployed. As a brigade with organic airborne units, it is authorized a beret flash and parachute wing trimming,[2] and the shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized to be worn with an airborne tab. According to U.S. Army's Institute of Heraldry, the shoulder sleeve insignia "was amended to delete the airborne tab effective 16 October 2008" when jump status of the brigade was terminated;[3] however, various elements of the brigade remain on jump status.
Shoulder Insignia
Description
Symbolism
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
Symbolism
The brigade dates back to the Vietnam War when it was constituted on 23 March 1966 as the 16th Military Police Group and activated on 20 May 1966 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.[4] Shortly thereafter, the brigade deployed to Vietnam to help fight the Vietnam War. The Group provided command, control, staff planning, and coordination for military police units assigned and attached to the I and II Corps Tactical Zones.
The 93rd, 97th, 504th, and 716th Military Police Battalions were under its control.
The unit participated in thirteen campaigns to include nine counteroffensives and two consolidations during the Vietnam War receiving two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Republic Of Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry With Palm for their outstanding effort and dedication.[4]
On 16 July 1981 the group was reorganized and redesignated as the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne).[4] Since Vietnam, the brigade headquarters has deployed around the world in support of XVIII Airborne Corps and on-going Army operations. In October 1983, the headquarters was sent to Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury.[4] In March 1988, the brigade went to Panama in support of southern command's operation to secure US civilians and property and to protect the canal. In September 1989, the brigade was sent to Saint Croix in the US Virgin Islands to restore law and order and protect property following Hurricane Hugo.[4] In December 1989, the brigade again went to Panama this time in support of Operation Just Cause and Promote Liberty during which the brigade was instrumental in standing up the Panamanian police force.[5] in August 1990, the brigade deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The brigade was later recognized for its hard work in the desert with their third Meritorious Unit Commendation.[5] September 1992 the brigade went to Florida to assist in disaster relief following Hurricane Andrew. In September 1994, the brigade was sent to Haiti to support Operation Uphold Democracy.[5]
In August 2006, the brigade deployed for 15 months to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where they were responsible for detainee operations and convoy security at Camp Bucca, along with detainee operations at The Baghdad Correctional Facility (Camp Cropper). The Unit also worked with Task Force 134 at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. The brigade was awarded its fourth Meritorious Unit Commendation for the outstanding mission accomplishments in Iraq.
The soldiers of the brigade have consistently been sent first to worldwide hot spots and crisis locations. Other operations that brigade units have supported were:
The 91st MP battalion, 385th MP Battalion, and 503rd MP Battalion were deployed to Afghanistan, conducting operations in Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces. Unique to military police units, each battalion contains a Military Working Dog Detachment, which certifies military working dog teams to help support both MP and non-MP units worldwide.[6]
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