The 16th Military Police Brigade
History
The Brigade dates back to the Vietnam Conflict when it was constituted on 23 March 1966 as the 16th Military Police Group and activated on 20 May 1966 at Fort George Meade, Maryland.The unit participated in thirteen campaigns to include nine counteroffensives and two consolidations during the Vietnam conflict receiving two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for their outstanding effort and dedication.
On 16 July 1981, the group was reorganized and redesignated as the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne). Since Vietnam, the Brigade Headquarters was deloyed around the world in support of XVIII Airborne Corp and on-going Army operations
In October 1983, the Headquarters was sent to Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury.In March 1988, the Brigade went to Panama in support of Southern Command operation to secure U.S. civilians and property and to protect the canal.In September 1989, the Brigade was sent to Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to restore Law and Order and protect property following Hurricane Hugo.In December 1989, the Brigade again went to Panama this time in support of Operations, Just Cause, and Promote Liberty during which the Brigade was instrumental in standing up the Panamanian Police Force.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.In September 1992, the Brigade went to Florida to assist in disaster relief following Hurricane Andres.In September 1994, the Brigade was sent to Haiti to support Operation Uphold Democracy.In January 2004, the Brigade deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where they were responsible for Detainee Operations and Convoy Security.The Brigade was awarded its fourth Meritorious Unit Commendation for their outstanding accomplishments in Iraq.In August 2006, The Brigade deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to conduct Detainee Operations for Joint Task Force 134.After its arrival in Baghdad, the Brigade and Joint Task Force merged staffs in an effort to streamline operations. In August 2007, the Brigade moved to Camp Bucca to establish a Brigade Headquarters for the care and custody of more than 20,000 Detainees at the largest Theater Internment Facility in Iraq.
The Soldiers of the Brigade have consistently been sent first to worldwide hot spots and crisis locations.Other operations that the Brigade units have supported were the May 1981 Cuban Refugee Relief, Florida; Civil Disturbance Operations at Seneca Army Depot, New York; rotations to the Sinai for Multi-National Force and Observers Duty; Presidential Inaugurations; Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras; Somalia; Guantanamo Bay; Cuba; Bosnia; Kosovo; Albania Refugee Support at Fort Dix; Pentagon Security following the attacks of September 11, 2001; and Uzbekistan/Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.Currently at Fort Bragg, the 16th Military Police Brigade provides Garrison Law Enforcement and Force Protection to the Fort Bragg community and continues training for its combat support mission. The 16th Military Police Brigade stands ready to support XVIII Airborne corps and respond to any worldwide contingency mission.