Sergeant Brian Ohler, performs pre-mission checks on a M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun on top of a 1114 HMMWV on Forward Operating Base Marez, Iraq . Ohler is a Connecticut National Guardsman attached to the 144th Military Police Company, 2nd platoon, 1st squad leader, a guard unit out of Michigan currently deployed to the Ninevah province capital. Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Detachment


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# B149
Feb. 16, 2007

Coalition forces rely on quick response by MPs

By Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq – When Soldiers conduct missions in the Nineveh province capital city of Mosul, they could be called on at any time to assist other coalition forces.

That sort of fluidity is what makes the members of the 144th Military Police Company successful. “First in, last out” is not only their motto; it is the way these Michigan National Guard Soldiers do business.

“In the city, we are the quick reaction force because we are already out there and we are trained to respond quickly to just about anything,” Sgt. Brian Ohler, tactical operations leader for the patrol.

Members of the unit proved their flexibility during a recent mission by transforming from Iraq security advisors and health services inspectors to a rapid reaction force for friendly forces.

After Soldiers of 2nd Platoon met with coalition members at the Iraqi Police Provincial Headquarters, they paid a visit to the Al Jamouri Hospital and the adjoining police station to speak with officials at both locations to address issues related to fuel and food.

Mission coordinator Sgt. Robert Kay, 3rd squad leader, spoke with the Al Jamouri Police Station commander about plans to expand the police station from a two-room building to a facility with sleeping quarters and a larger guard tower.
Afterwards, the team made their way to the hospital’s morgue to talk with the staff about its record-keeping procedures.

Satisfied with the information they collected, the Soldiers began heading back toward Forward Operating Base Marez. The day’s mission was complete.
Just as fast as a Texas flash thunderstorm, the unit became the district’s quick reaction force when a call came over the radio reporting that a roadside bomb struck a U.S. vehicle.

As Ohler gathered more information, the convoy raced toward the location of the incident with sirens blaring, which drew curious looks from pedestrians and parting traffic on the roads.

As the squad weaved through a busy market street, gunner Pvt. Nathanael Hunt called out to Kay that he’d spotted a column of black smoke rising from another direction. Before they could determine the cause of the smoke, however, they had to answer the call for help made by their fellow Soldiers.

When the squads arrived to the site, the Soldiers involved in the incident had already been treated and the vehicle was still mobile, but they needed the MPs as an escort and to provide extra security.

As they convoy made their way slowly toward base, Hunt called out again to Kay that the column of black smoke was still visible. Kay called the tactical operations center for more information. He learned that an Iraqi army patrol had been struck by a car bomb in an unrelated incident. Kay was asked if his patrol could assist.

After being assured that their assistance was no longer needed, the military police peeled away from the American convoy and raced toward the dark plum of smoke.
From his vantage point in the gunner’s turret, Hunt guided the squad through a congested maze of city streets, around a traffic circle, and arrived at the charred remains of an IA truck.

Iraqi Security Forces had used their vehicles to set up a cordon and had evacuated injured IA soldiers. Iraqi personnel were removing the wreckage from the road and onto a flat bed truck.

The U.S. troops provided extra security around the perimeter which allowed the IA to work without fear of another attack.

“They did not call for any help, we came to set up security for them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Garcia, the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon. “These guys had it all under control by the time we got there.”

As the Iraqi policemen drove off, Ohler made a radio call. “Any other fires?” he asked the tactical operations center.

Hunt shouted that there was plenty of daylight left.

After a short pause, the crackle over the radio ordered the members of 2nd platoon to return to base.


A wrecker removes the remains of an Iraqi Army vehicle off the street in Mosul Jan 25. The IA truck was hit by an IED during a patrol in the city. The wreckage was recovered by IA soldiers before U.S. Soldiers arrived on the scene. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


Sergeant Robert Kay (center) speaks with an Iraqi policeman (left) about the conditions and progress at the Al Jamouri Hospital Police Station in Mosul Jan. 25. The National Guardsman is a member of the 144th Military Police Company out of Michigan. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


Sergeants Brian Ohler (left) and Robert Kay of the 144th Military Police Company enter the forensic lab at the Al Jamouri Hospital during a visit to the facility and the neighboring police station in Mosul Jan.25. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Stryker, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Labels: 144th MP Co., CT Heroes, FOB Marez, Iraq, Michigan National Guard, Military Police, Mosul, photos