Arctic Military Police Battalion 

As of January 25, 2012

 

On August 12, 2008 at 1400 HRS on Pershing Field, at Fort Richardson, Alaska and to the strains of the cavalry song Garry Owen (played by the post band) the famed 545^th Military Police Company was reactivated as per DA Permanent Order APOP 37-10.  Sadly the unit is no longer with the 1^st Cavalry Division as that is where the units heritage lies, but the new assignment to the Arctic Military Police Battalion (Provisional) is a good one and we are proud to serve in this great battalion.  The unit is commanded by LTC Howard Hunt who is a very professional MP Officer.  

Keeping with the Cavalry traditions of the 545^th MP Co, the Provost Marshal General, BG Rodney L. Johnson and the Provost Command Sergeant Major, CSM Freddie L.T. Brock who are both veterans of the unit and also members of the unit association were present at the ceremony wearing their Stetsons.  It was a beautiful day for a ceremony with clear blue skies and a temperature of about 65 degrees.  I discovered that many of the members of this unit are veterans of the old cavalry 545^th at Ft Hood, Texas so I feel positive that the cavalry traditions will be continued as in the past.

 

  

The Arctic Military Police Battalion (Provisional) was established on 30 October 2003 to answer the need for a Battalion Level Headquarters for Military Police units in USARAK.  The Battalion consists of the 164^th Military Police Company, the 28^th Military Police Detachment, the 190^th MP Company Montana National Guard (January 2005 through March of 2006), DA Police and the Chenega Security Guard Force.

Since its establishment the Battalion has been instrumental in providing quality trained Military Policemen and women in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Law Enforcement Operations at USARAK installations.  The Battalion has deployed the 164^th Military Police Company to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  The Battalion has deployed elements of the 28^th Military Police Detachment in support both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.  The Battalion also deployed individual Officers in support of the Global War on Terror to locations in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan.   In support of the Global War on Terrorism, Battalion Soldiers have been awarded 10 Bronze Stars, 5 MSMs, 103 ARCOMS, 3 Purple Hearts, and 61 Combat Action.

The Battalion has overseen both the establishment of the DA Police Program as well as the implementation of the Chenega Guards Security Force.  The DA Police Program was activated in March of 2005 providing over 34 DA police to perform duties at Forts Richardson, Wainright and Greely.  The DA Police Program has been critical in providing effective law enforcement operations on USARAK installations, and their presence has allowed the Military Police Forces in USARAK to deploy in support of the Global War on Terror.

Currently the Battalion is undergoing transformation in the unit structure; temporary adding a new MP Company Detachment the 215^th out the Puerto Rico to subsidize 164^th Military Police Company deployment. In addition, the Battalion is fathering six companies during the 17^th CSSB deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The core mission to conduct continuous law and order operations and force protection operations within U.S. Army Alaska stays the same, however is now more diverse with the added tenants units from transportation, maintenance, EOD, Chemical Decon, heavy construction engineers to airborne drops the Battalion is well able to protect all USARAK installation.

 

 

On 9 September, 2009 LTC Howard Hunt relinquished command of the Arctic MP Battalion to LTC Oberlander with SGM Anderson and COL Agron participating in the ceremony.  We wish LTC Oberlander the very best of luck with his new command and remember fondly LTC Hunt who was a great supporter of our Unit Association

 

 

On the 14th of May, 2010 the colors of the Arctic MP Battalion (Polar Bears) were cased for the last time Fort Richardson Alaska and all three commanders of this unit were present for this event. Having paved the way for the 793rd MP Battalion to take its place, this will be the last move of MP Battalions in the US Army under the restructuring of the Military Police Corps.

The Arctic MP Battalion will be remembered always as the unit that gave the 545th MP Company its new home after it was deactivated at Fort Hood, Texas in 2005.

 

Deactivation of the Artic Military Police Battalion

(Provisional)

 

 

 

The three Commanders of the Artic Military Police Battalion (Provisional)

Polar Bears

 

LTC (R)  Robert Reeves

LTC  Howard Hunt

LTC  David Oberlander

14 May 2010