Delaware National
Guard153rd Military Police Co. prepares to depart Eskan Village
By Capt. Shawn Winterbottom, Commander, and 1st Lt. Thomas Quek, 153rd Military Police Co.
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Members of the 153rd Military Police Company in movement during a three-day exercise conducted several months ago. (Scroll down for more images from this exercise.) Photo by Maj. Bill Harris, ARCENT Public Affairs. |
Beginning September 16 of last year, the residents and workers of Eskan Village, Saudia Arabia, realized that there was a new sheriff in town. That was the day Delaware's 153rd Military Police Company assumed mission authority from the 544th MP Company. With this mission came the responsibilities of providing Force Protection and Law & Order Operations for Eskan Village. From day one, the soldiers’ mindset was totally focused on Force Protection with the emphasis being placed on the Main Gate.
Initially, there was the arduous adjustment to active duty. However, the soldiers were motivated and prepared to meet the challenges of the coming months. They faced the endless routine of working twelve-hour shifts in a less than hospitable environment. Undaunted, the soldiers took on the addition of doing Physical Training five days a week. What more could the country ask for from their citizen-soldiers. Nonetheless, the challenges would continue to follow.
Through the long months ahead, the soldiers maintained their Battle Focus by integrating their training into their daily operations. This was especially obvious with the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The QRF provided not only real-world responses to emergencies on Eskan Village; they also provided much need training to other elements of ARCENT-SA periodically throughout the deployment here.
Soon, the soldiers grew accustomed to the long hours and were determined to make the best out of this deployment. To break up the monotony of daily routine, the 153rd fielded three softball teams who represented themselves with pride and distinction. The 153rd also fielded several basketball teams. On top of that, the soldiers also took part in the many weight-lifting competitions held routinely throughout the entire deployment.
The 153rd MP Company also supported ARCENT-SA Commander’s training requirements. Training exercises were held periodically to keep all ARCENT-SA soldiers current and well prepared for contingencies.
The first training exercise, Rules Of Engagement training, focused on the individual soldier and their ability to make decisions in a matter of seconds when dealing with intruders or other threat on Eskan Village. The Noncommissioned Officers of the 153rd were instrumental in executing this three-day training event, which was marked by a steady dose of rain. Motivated and determined, they worked through the rain to ensure all soldiers understood the ROE. That was just the beginning.
The Company was internally preparing for an even bigger hurtle. In February 2002, the 153rd collectively participated in the ARCENT-SA Mass Casualty Exercise. This externally evaluated event tested our readiness and ability to defend and protect Eskan Village while performing critical incident management tasks. The QRF and patrols of the 153rd provided needed responses to the scenarios of the exercise while the security teams at the Gates continued to screen traffic and personnel coming onto Eskan Village.
As CENTCOM prepared for hostilities in Iraq, Eskan Village began to hunker down by upgrading our force protection measures. Together with support from the Provost Marshal Office and Physical Security Officer, key NCOs of the 153rd emplaced new fighting positions and added new concrete barriers to reinforce the perimeter of Eskan Village. These new measures proved to be invaluable when the Village went to Force Protection Condition D in March 2002 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 153rd worked non-stop for 23 days during FPCON D to keep security extra tight during the tense period in the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. To date, the 153rd has maintained a zero casualty rate for all incidents on Eskan Village.
As the 153rd prepares to depart Eskan Village at the end of this rotation, the soldiers and leaders of the company wish to express their appreciation to members of OPM-SANG and USMTM for all their care and support, especially during the holiday season.
Through the entire eight-month period, the soldiers of the 153rd had developed a special rapport with the residents and workers of Eskan Village, especially members of OPM-SANG and USMTM, and we thank them for their cooperation and understanding.
Photo Gallery from a past readiness
exercise in Saudia Arabia
Photos by Maj. Bill
Harris, ARCENT Public Affairs.
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