793rd Military Police Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 793rd Military Police Battalion is a Battalion sized unit in the United States Army
currently stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska
. The Battalion is in charge of all active duty military police units and operations in the state of Alaska.
, Texas, on 26 December 1942. The battalion deployed to Scotland
in February 1944 for training prior to movement to France in August 1944, where it conducted route security operations on the famous Red Ball Highway/Red Ball Express
until December 1944. From December 1944 to June 1945 the battalion conducted port security operations in Antwerp, Belgium, and was cited in the Order of the Day by the Belgian Army
. In June 1945, the battalion was assigned port security operations in Marseilles, France until January 1946, when it entered Germany. The battalion was subsequently assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, and moved to Nuremberg
, Germany where it conducted law and order operations as part of the occupation force and security for the Nuremberg Trials
which was charging the remaining high ranking Nazis for war crimes. The 793rd Military Police Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
—EUROPEAN THEATER and campaign streamers—NORTHERN FRANCE 1944 and RHINELAND 1944–1945, for military operations in Europe during World War II.
" era, the battalion was assigned to VII Corps, United States Army, Europe. The 793rd Military Police Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia
in December 1990 in support of VII Corps during Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. The battalion advanced into Iraq and Kuwait in February 1991 at the start of the ground offensive in support of the 1st Armored Division
, 3rd Armored Division, and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, where it conducted extensive enemy prisoner of war operations. In April 1991, the battalion supervised the evacuation of thousands of refugees from Iraq to Saudi Arabia. The 793rd Military Police Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
—DESERT SHIELD/STORM and campaign streamers—DEFENSE OF SAUDI ARABIA, LIBERATION AND DEFENSE OF KUWAIT, and SOUTHWEST ASIA CEASE FIRE, for military operations in Southwest Asia. The battalion redeployed from Saudi Arabia to Germany in May 1991, and was subsequently reassigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, V Corps, United States Army, Europe.
from June 1999 to December 1999 in support of Task Force Falcon
to implement the peace initiatives following the NATO led Air War with Yugoslavia. They established the Camp Bondsteel
Detention Facility, the first facility of its kind in Kosovo, which further became the standard model for KFOR. The 793d MP Battalion returned to Kosovo in November 2000 to support Task Force Falcon, KFOR 2B, until May 2001. In October 2002, the 793d Military Police Battalion returned to Kosovo for a third tour as part of KFOR 4B and conducted operations in support of Multi-National Brigade East until August 2003.
in December 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. The battalion secured the capitulated PMOI People's Mujahedin of Iran
)/MEK (Mujahideen-e Khalq) forces at Camp Ashraf
, Iraq. The battalion also supported the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in their area of operation. The battalion redeployed to its home in Bamberg
, Germany in November 2005. The 793rd Military Police Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
—IRAQ and campaign streamer—IRAQ, for military operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
to Basra
, serving under the Multi-National Division (Center), Multi-National Division (South-East)
, and Multi-National Division (South).
, Kuwait for the month of April, 2008. There they trained in the Kuwaiti Desert and gathering intelligence of their area of responsibility for Iraq. In May, 2008, the Battalion had completely transferred to Camp Stryker, Victory Base Complex
to relieve the outgoing Battalion, the 720th MP Battalion from Ft Hood, Texas. The Spartans were attached to the their home brigade, the 18th MP Brigade "Vigilant" which was in Iraq and in charge of MP units in the Division, and the Battalion was attached as well to 10th Mountain Division in Multi-National Division-Center(MND-C), and the 18th Airborne Corps in Multi-National Corps-Iraq(MNC-I). The Battalion had units all over MND-C and the Polish Military Controlled Multi-National Division (Center South)(MND-CS). The Battalion was mainly in charge of the units for logistical purposes, rather full operationally.
and the British Military needed American military assistance including Military Police Units to assist in the conflict against the Mahdi Army
, led by Muqtada Al-Sadr
. Multiple Units were either redeployed from their current Bases to Basra, or they had their orders changed as they were on the verge of deploying to theater. The 793rd MP Battalion was chosen to transfer to Basra to take full operational command of the MP Units down there whose duties were security in the town, as well as training the Iraqi National Police in the area. The Battalion redeployed from Baghdad to Basra on 26 December 2008; the Battalion's birthday. Upon arrival, the Battalion was in charge of the 21st MP Company(Airborne) from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
, the 266th MP Company from Virginia
, the 2228th MP Company, Louisiana Army National Guard
, and a Field Artillery Battery, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade from Ft. Hood, Texas that was performing Provisional Police work. Over time, Units were redeploying back to their home station, and the battalion gained the 178th MP Company, Georgia Army National Guard
, and the 810th MP Company Army Reserve
from Tampa
, Florida. The Battalion also took command of a Camp on COB Basra and were in charge of all facilities and occupants to include 3 battalions from the British Army
: one Battalion from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
, a Battalion from the Royal Tank Regiment
, and a Battalion from the Yorkshire Regiment
. The Battalion was initially under the command of 20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)(The Iron Fist), British Army, and Multi-National Division-South East(MND-SE). As the British Forces were pulling out of Iraq, the Battalion was attached to the 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division and the 8th Military Police Brigade HQ's and the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", the first National Guard Division HQ deployed to Iraq, in the Newly formed, Multi-National Division-South, which combined South East with part of Center South. The Battalion was relieved of duty by the provincial formed Task Force South which would take command of all MP Functions and units until the 231st MP Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard
came to take command. The Battalion returned to Bamberg, Germany at the end of June, 2009; 5 days short of a 16 month deployment.
, Texas. The Battalion was deactivated in February 2010, so that it would be reactivated in Alaska to Replace the Arctic Military Police Battalion(Provincial) "Polar Bears", due to the growing need of Military Policemen in Alaska.
, 25th Infantry Division "Spartans" at Fort Richardson, the 793rd Spartans was reactivated as the 793rd "Arctic Spartans". Due to USARAK being a Division sized unit, however not being a division, USARAK does not get their own Provost Marshal. Because of such reasons, the Commander of the 793rd is also the Provost Marshal for all of US Army Alaska. 2010 is a busy year for the "Arctic Spartans, due to the 472nd MP Company based out of Fort Wainwright being deployed to the Middle East, the 545th MP Company based out of Fort Richardson returning from deployment, and the 164th MP Company, also based out of Fort Richardson began their training for their deployment to the Middle East. With Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base merging to create Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson(JBER), Air Force Security Forces(Air Police)took control of law enforcement for the entire base. With that in effect, 28th MP Det. South was deactivated and 28th is solely in Ft. Wainwright now. For 64 years, the battalion was not in the U.S. since they set sail from Texas in February of 1944. Since leaving, the Battalion has been in Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. Now, after 64 years of being away, the 793rd Military Police Battalion Colors are waving back in the United States, and more importantly they are waving for the Defense of America's Last Frontier.
164th Military Police Company "Arctic Enforcers"
545th Military Police Company "Arctic Defenders"
28th Military Police Detachment "Arctic Guardians"
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
currently stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The Battalion is in charge of all active duty military police units and operations in the state of Alaska.
Activation/ World War II
The Battalion was activated at Camp MaxeyCamp Maxey
Camp Maxey was a World War II infantry training camp named in honor of Samuel Bell Maxey.Located just north of Paris, Texas, it opened on July 15, 1942 under the command of Colonel C.H. Palmer...
, Texas, on 26 December 1942. The battalion deployed to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in February 1944 for training prior to movement to France in August 1944, where it conducted route security operations on the famous Red Ball Highway/Red Ball Express
Red Ball Express
The Red Ball Express was an enormous truck convoy system created by Allied forces to supply their forward-area combat units moving through Europe following the breakout from the D-Day beaches in Normandy. The term "Red Ball" was a railroad phrase referring to express shipping...
until December 1944. From December 1944 to June 1945 the battalion conducted port security operations in Antwerp, Belgium, and was cited in the Order of the Day by the Belgian Army
Belgian Army
The Land Component is organised using the concept of capacities, whereby units are gathered together according to their function and material. Within this framework, there are five capacities: the command capacity, the combat capacity, the support capacity, the services capacity and the training...
. In June 1945, the battalion was assigned port security operations in Marseilles, France until January 1946, when it entered Germany. The battalion was subsequently assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, and moved to Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
, Germany where it conducted law and order operations as part of the occupation force and security for the Nuremberg Trials
Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals, held by the victorious Allied forces of World War II, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of the defeated Nazi Germany....
which was charging the remaining high ranking Nazis for war crimes. The 793rd Military Police Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
—EUROPEAN THEATER and campaign streamers—NORTHERN FRANCE 1944 and RHINELAND 1944–1945, for military operations in Europe during World War II.
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
During the "Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
" era, the battalion was assigned to VII Corps, United States Army, Europe. The 793rd Military Police Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
in December 1990 in support of VII Corps during Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm. The battalion advanced into Iraq and Kuwait in February 1991 at the start of the ground offensive in support of the 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, 3rd Armored Division, and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, where it conducted extensive enemy prisoner of war operations. In April 1991, the battalion supervised the evacuation of thousands of refugees from Iraq to Saudi Arabia. The 793rd Military Police Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
—DESERT SHIELD/STORM and campaign streamers—DEFENSE OF SAUDI ARABIA, LIBERATION AND DEFENSE OF KUWAIT, and SOUTHWEST ASIA CEASE FIRE, for military operations in Southwest Asia. The battalion redeployed from Saudi Arabia to Germany in May 1991, and was subsequently reassigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, V Corps, United States Army, Europe.
Bosnian Conflict
The 793rd Military Police Battalion deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in December 1995 in support of Task Force Eagle (1st Armored Division) and Operation Joint Endeavor. For almost eleven months, Soldiers of the battalion performed a wide variety of missions including battlefield circulation control, area and route security operations, VIP security, and critical site security. During the Bosnian National Elections in September 1996, the Battalion provided around-the-clock support to nearly 200 election sites and counting houses in the Tuzla Valley. Upon the successful transfer of military police functions to the covering force of the 1st Infantry Division in November 1996, units of the battalion redeployed to Germany, bringing an end to the second major deployment of the "SPARTANS" outside of Germany since 1990. The battalion was awarded the Army Superior Unit Award – for military police support and operations in Bosnia.Kosovo Conflict
The 793rd Military Police Battalion deployed to KosovoKosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
from June 1999 to December 1999 in support of Task Force Falcon
Task Force Falcon (US)
Task Force Falcon is the name of a US Army Task Force serving as part of KFOR in Kosovo. At the moment, the Task Force serves in Afghanistan, Bagram and Kabul....
to implement the peace initiatives following the NATO led Air War with Yugoslavia. They established the Camp Bondsteel
Camp Bondsteel
Camp Bondsteel is the main base of the United States Army under KFOR command in Kosovo. Located near Uroševac in the eastern part of Kosovo, the base serves as the NATO headquarters for KFOR's Multinational Brigade East . The base is named after Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient United States...
Detention Facility, the first facility of its kind in Kosovo, which further became the standard model for KFOR. The 793d MP Battalion returned to Kosovo in November 2000 to support Task Force Falcon, KFOR 2B, until May 2001. In October 2002, the 793d Military Police Battalion returned to Kosovo for a third tour as part of KFOR 4B and conducted operations in support of Multi-National Brigade East until August 2003.
Operation Iraqi Freedom III
The 793rd Military Police Battalion deployed to IraqIraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in December 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06. The battalion secured the capitulated PMOI People's Mujahedin of Iran
People's Mujahedin of Iran
The People's Mujahedin of Iran is a terrorist militant organization that advocates the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran....
)/MEK (Mujahideen-e Khalq) forces at Camp Ashraf
Camp Ashraf
Camp Ashraf or Ashraf City is situated northeast of the Iraqi town of Khalis, about 120 kilometers west of the Iranian border and 60 kilometers north of Baghdad, and is the seat of the People's Mujahedin of Iran in Iraq...
, Iraq. The battalion also supported the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in their area of operation. The battalion redeployed to its home in Bamberg
Bamberg
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
, Germany in November 2005. The 793rd Military Police Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
—IRAQ and campaign streamer—IRAQ, for military operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-10
The 793rd Military Police Battalion once again deployed to Iraq, from April 2008 to June 2009, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-10 where they oversaw 12 subordinate units professionalizing the Iraqi Police across 7 provinces in central and southern Iraq, from BaghdadBaghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
to Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
, serving under the Multi-National Division (Center), Multi-National Division (South-East)
Multi-National Division (South-East) (Iraq)
Multi-National Division was a British commanded division responsible for security in the south east of Iraq from 2003 to 2009. It was responsible for the large city of Basra and its headquarters were located at Basra Airport. The division was initially responsible for the governorates of Al...
, and Multi-National Division (South).
Kuwait/ Baghdad
The battalion was in Camp BuehringCamp Buehring
Camp Buehring is a staging post for US troops in the northwestern region of Kuwait. The base is used for military troops heading north into Iraq as well as the primary location for the Middle Eastern Theater Reserve...
, Kuwait for the month of April, 2008. There they trained in the Kuwaiti Desert and gathering intelligence of their area of responsibility for Iraq. In May, 2008, the Battalion had completely transferred to Camp Stryker, Victory Base Complex
Victory Base Complex
Victory Base Complex or VBC, as it is most commonly called, is a cluster of U.S. military installations surrounding the Baghdad International Airport...
to relieve the outgoing Battalion, the 720th MP Battalion from Ft Hood, Texas. The Spartans were attached to the their home brigade, the 18th MP Brigade "Vigilant" which was in Iraq and in charge of MP units in the Division, and the Battalion was attached as well to 10th Mountain Division in Multi-National Division-Center(MND-C), and the 18th Airborne Corps in Multi-National Corps-Iraq(MNC-I). The Battalion had units all over MND-C and the Polish Military Controlled Multi-National Division (Center South)(MND-CS). The Battalion was mainly in charge of the units for logistical purposes, rather full operationally.
Basra
Because of the height of escalation from the Battle of Basra, the Iraqi ArmyIraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
and the British Military needed American military assistance including Military Police Units to assist in the conflict against the Mahdi Army
Mahdi Army
The Mahdi Army, also known as the Mahdi Militia or Jaish al-Mahdi , was an Iraqi paramilitary force created by the Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in June 2003....
, led by Muqtada Al-Sadr
Muqtada al-Sadr
Sayyid Muqtadā al-Ṣadr is an Iraqi Islamic political leader.Along with Ali al-Sistani and Ammar al-Hakim of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, Sadr is one of the most influential religious and political figures in the country not holding any official title in the Iraqi government.-Titles:He is...
. Multiple Units were either redeployed from their current Bases to Basra, or they had their orders changed as they were on the verge of deploying to theater. The 793rd MP Battalion was chosen to transfer to Basra to take full operational command of the MP Units down there whose duties were security in the town, as well as training the Iraqi National Police in the area. The Battalion redeployed from Baghdad to Basra on 26 December 2008; the Battalion's birthday. Upon arrival, the Battalion was in charge of the 21st MP Company(Airborne) from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, the 266th MP Company from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, the 2228th MP Company, Louisiana Army National Guard
Louisiana Army National Guard
The Louisiana Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force...
, and a Field Artillery Battery, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade from Ft. Hood, Texas that was performing Provisional Police work. Over time, Units were redeploying back to their home station, and the battalion gained the 178th MP Company, Georgia Army National Guard
Georgia Army National Guard
The Georgia Army National Guard is the Army National Guard component of the Georgia National Guard, administratively part of the Georgia Department of Defense. It consists of more than 11,100 Citizen-Soldiers training in more than 79 hometown armories and regional facilities across the state...
, and the 810th MP Company Army Reserve
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
from Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Florida. The Battalion also took command of a Camp on COB Basra and were in charge of all facilities and occupants to include 3 battalions from the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
: one Battalion from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
"PWRR" redirects here. For the railroad with these reporting marks, see Portland and Western Railroad.The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen's Division...
, a Battalion from the Royal Tank Regiment
Royal Tank Regiment
The Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. It was formerly known as the Tank Corps and the Royal Tank Corps. It is part of the Royal Armoured Corps and is made up of two operational regiments, the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment...
, and a Battalion from the Yorkshire Regiment
Yorkshire Regiment
The Yorkshire Regiment is one of the largest infantry regiments of the British Army. The regiment is currently the only line infantry or rifles unit to represent a single geographical county in the new infantry structure, serving as the county regiment of Yorkshire covering the historical areas...
. The Battalion was initially under the command of 20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)(The Iron Fist), British Army, and Multi-National Division-South East(MND-SE). As the British Forces were pulling out of Iraq, the Battalion was attached to the 2nd BCT, 4th Infantry Division and the 8th Military Police Brigade HQ's and the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", the first National Guard Division HQ deployed to Iraq, in the Newly formed, Multi-National Division-South, which combined South East with part of Center South. The Battalion was relieved of duty by the provincial formed Task Force South which would take command of all MP Functions and units until the 231st MP Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard
Alabama Army National Guard
The Alabama Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
came to take command. The Battalion returned to Bamberg, Germany at the end of June, 2009; 5 days short of a 16 month deployment.
Deactivation/Relocation
After the return from Iraq, the Battalion was chosen to be deactivated for the Draw Down of American Troops in Germany. The 615th MP Company "Bloodhounds" and the 630th MP Company "Mavericks" were reassigned to the 709th MP Battalion "Warriors", based in Grafenwoehr Germany. The final unit was the 212th MP Company Dragoons which was deactivated to be reactivated in Fort BlissFort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, Texas. The Battalion was deactivated in February 2010, so that it would be reactivated in Alaska to Replace the Arctic Military Police Battalion(Provincial) "Polar Bears", due to the growing need of Military Policemen in Alaska.
Alaska
The 793rd Military Police Battalion was reactivated on 14 May 2010 in Fort Richardson, Alaska with the duties of being once again a deployable Battalion Command, and in charge of all Military Police Activities in the State of Alaska. Because of the already occupation of the 4th BCT4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (United States)
The 4th Brigade Combat Team , 25th Infantry Division is an airborne infantry brigade combat team of the United States Army. The unit is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska and is the only airborne brigade combat team in the Pacific Theater...
, 25th Infantry Division "Spartans" at Fort Richardson, the 793rd Spartans was reactivated as the 793rd "Arctic Spartans". Due to USARAK being a Division sized unit, however not being a division, USARAK does not get their own Provost Marshal. Because of such reasons, the Commander of the 793rd is also the Provost Marshal for all of US Army Alaska. 2010 is a busy year for the "Arctic Spartans, due to the 472nd MP Company based out of Fort Wainwright being deployed to the Middle East, the 545th MP Company based out of Fort Richardson returning from deployment, and the 164th MP Company, also based out of Fort Richardson began their training for their deployment to the Middle East. With Ft. Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base merging to create Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson(JBER), Air Force Security Forces(Air Police)took control of law enforcement for the entire base. With that in effect, 28th MP Det. South was deactivated and 28th is solely in Ft. Wainwright now. For 64 years, the battalion was not in the U.S. since they set sail from Texas in February of 1944. Since leaving, the Battalion has been in Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. Now, after 64 years of being away, the 793rd Military Police Battalion Colors are waving back in the United States, and more importantly they are waving for the Defense of America's Last Frontier.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
The Crest is a green and gold shield, to symbolize the colors of the MP Corps. The Red Cylindrical Items running diagonally across represent the Red Ball Highway which the Battalion was in charge of security of a portion of during World War II. The scroll on the bottom bears the words "Facta cum Honore" which means Achievement with Honor, the battalion's motto.Fort Richardson
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 793rd MP Battalion "Arctic Gladiators"164th Military Police Company "Arctic Enforcers"
545th Military Police Company "Arctic Defenders"
Fort Wainwright
472nd Military Police Company "Arctic Titans"28th Military Police Detachment "Arctic Guardians"