16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne)
The primary mission of the Brigade is to provide combat ready military police support to the nation's only Airborne Corps. Our second, but equally important mission is to provide law enforcement - force protection operations to the soldiers, family members and visitors to XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. Needless to say, our plate is quite full. Our subordinate units include the 503d Military Police Battalion with the 21st (Abn), 118th (Abn), 65th (Abn), and the 108th (AAsslt) Military Police Companies, the 122nd Military Police Detachment (PWIC), and the 42d Military Police Detachment. It is aligned with the 519th MP Battalion, the 716th MP Battalion, and the 317th MP Battalion (USAR).
The 16th Military Police Brigade is prepared to deploy anywhere in the world in order to provide combat military police support to the XVIII Airborne Corps for world-wide contingency missions. Additionally, the Brigade is responsible for providing daily law enforcement - force protection and community assistance to the soldiers, families, and visitors to the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.
The brigade dates back to the Vietnam conflict, when it was constituted on 23 March 1966 as the 16th Military Police Group. The unit was subsequently reorganized and redesignated on 16 July 1981 as the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne). During the Vietnam conflict the Brigade participated in nine counteroffensives and two consolidations. Since Vietnam, brigade soldiers have deployed to Miami, FL, for the Cuban refugee relief effort from May - June 1980; to Seneca Army Depot, NY, to assist in civil disturbance Operation "Athena"; October 1983 deployed with the XVIII Airborne Corps to the island of Grenada in support of Operation "Urgent Fury"; Deployed with the multinational force and observers to the Sinai; Provided security for Operation "Quality Dragon" in Honduras; and marched in the 1984 presidential inauguration ceremony.
In March 1988, the brigade was sent to the Republic of Panama for five months as a security augmentation force in support of the United States Southern Command. Then in September 1989, the brigade was again alerted and deployed to Saint Croix, United States Virgin Islands, to restore law and order and protect public and private property following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo. Brigade soldiers were again deployed to Panama in December 1989 for Operation "Just Cause."
In August 1990, brigade soldiers were among the first deployed during Operation "Desert Shield/Storm" in Saudi Arabia. Outstanding leadership, hard work, high moral and the best soldiers in the world contributed to the overall success of the operation. In September 1992, the brigade participated in Operation "Andrew" during disaster relief operations following Hurricane Andrew in Florida. In November 1993, the 21st Military Police Company (Airborne) deployed to Somalia for Operation "Restore Hope"; In August 1994, the 65th Military Police Company (Airborne) deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba while the brigade, battalion, and three military police companies deployed to Haiti for Operation "Uphold Democracy" in September 1994. In June and August 1995, the 118th Military Police Company (Airborne) and the HHD, 503rd Military Police Battalion (Airborne) both deployed to support the United Nations' Mission in Haiti. The 108th Military Police Company (Air Assault) and the 21st Military Police Company (Airborne) each had one platoon deployed to Honduras.
In July 1996, the 65th Military Police Company (Airborne) deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation "Joint Endeavor" and was followed by the 108th Military Police Company (Air Assault) in March 1997. March 1998 to August 1998 the 21st Military Police Company (Airborne) was deployed to Bosnia-Herzogovina.
The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 16th Military Police Group on 7 Nov 68, then redesignated effective 16 Jul 81 for the 16th Military Police Brigade. The DUI consists 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 the point between the two words of the motto and the pommel extending beyond the leaves and the lower part of the annulet. 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 United States Army organizations in Vietnam, and the colors red and yellow, stand for service in that country. The oak leaves are for strength and also allude to the state tree of Maryland where the 16th Military Police Group was activated. The colors green and gold are for the Military Police Corps.
The shoulder insignia was originally approved on 16 Jul 81 for the 16th Military Police Brigade, then amended to add the "Airborne" tab on 23 Feb 82. It consists of a dark green oblong arched at top and base with a light green globe with dark green gridlines bearing a 5-pointed yellow star throughout and issuing from the lower edge of the globe to the height of the lateral arms of the star a yellow acute angle bearing a dark green arrowhead throughout its length with the lower edge of its blades coinciding with the lower edge of the star; all within a yellow border. A black arced tab containing the inscription "AIRBORNE" in gold letters. Green and gold are the colors used for the US Army 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.
