The 16th Military Police Brigade is a military police brigade of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This brigade has the only airborne-qualified military police units in the U.S. Army, outside of the 82nd MP Company of the 82nd Airborne Division. It provides law enforcement and police duties to Fort Bragg, 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, 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; however, various elements of the brigade remain on jump status.

Insignia

Shoulder Insignia

Description

  • On a dark green oblong arched at top and base a light green globe with dark green gridlines bearing a five pointed yellow star.

Symbolism

  • Green and yellow are the colors used for Military Police, and a star is emblematic of that branch of service. A star also connotes leadership and authority. The arrowhead is a symbol for military preparedness and protection. All of the above, along with the globe, symbolize the overall mission capabilities, and operational sphere of the organization.

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description

  • A gold insignia consisting of a diagonal band divided throughout by a radiant partition line gold and scarlet, all within a green annulet, the upper part inscribed with the motto 'Combat Support' in gold letters and the lower part surmounted by two gold sprigs of oak leaves; overall an upright white sword.

Symbolism

  • The sword surmounting the band of flames represents military justice overcoming the fires of conflict and violence. The design refers to the basic mission of the Military Police Corps, the maintenance of law and order. The white sword, used on the insignia of many U.S. Army organizations in Vietnam and the colors red and yellow from the Flag of the Republic of Vietnam stand for service in that country. The oak leaves are for strength and also allude to the state tree of Maryland where the unit was originally organized. The colors green and yellow are for the Military Police Corps.

Lineage

  • Constituted 1966-03-23 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 16th Military Police Group
  • Activated 1966-05-20 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
  • Arrived in Vietnam on 1966-09-11, and was stationed at Nha Trang.
  • Unit moved to Danang during October 1970.
  • Unit returned to CONUS on 1970-12-20
  • Reorganized and redesignated 1981-07-16 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Military Police Brigade

History

Vietnam War

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. 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. 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.

Units

  • 25px Headquarters and Headquarters Company
  • 25px 25px 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne) – Fort Bragg

Honors

Campaign participation credit

  • Vietnam:
  1. Summer-Fall 1969;
  2. Winter-Spring 1970;
  3. Counteroffensive, Phase II 1966–1967;
  4. Counteroffensive, Phase III 1966–1967;
  5. Tet Counteroffensive 1968;
  6. Counteroffensive, Phase IV 1968;
  7. Counteroffensive, Phase V 1968;
  8. Counteroffensive, Phase VI 1968–1969;
  9. Tet/69 Counteroffensive 1969;
  10. Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970;
  11. Counteroffensive, Phase VII 1970–1971;
  12. Consolidation I 1971–1972;
  13. Consolidation II 1971–1972
  • Armed Forces Expeditions:
  1. Panama 1989–1990
  2. Southwest Asia:
  3. Defense of Saudi Arabia 1990–1991;
  4. Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 1990–1993
  5. Iraq:
  6. Transition Time 2003–2004;
  7. Iraqi Governance 2004–2005;
  8. National Resolution 2005–2007;
  9. Iraq Surge 2007–2008
  10. Afghanistan:
  11. Consolidation II 2006–2009;
  12. Consolidation III 2009–2011
  • Contingencies
  1. Panama – Law and order 1989–1990
  2. Saint Croix – Hurricane Relief
  3. Florida – Hurricane Relief
  4. Haiti – Operation Uphold Democracy
  5. Africa – Operation United Assistance 2014–2015 (194th MP CMBT SPT CO.)

Decorations

  1. Meritorious Unit Commendation for VIETNAM 1966–1968
  2. Meritorious Unit Commendation for VIETNAM 1968–1969
  3. Meritorious Unit Commendation for SOUTHWEST ASIA
  4. Meritorious Unit Commendation for IRAQ 2004–2005
  5. Meritorious Unit Commendation for IRAQ 2006–2007
  6. Meritorious Unit Commendation for AFGHANISTAN 2009–2010
  7. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966–1971

References

https://www.fayobserver.com/photogallery/NC/20190712/NEWS/712009971/PH/1<nowiki/>