MPs begin ‘very difficult’ mission

571st Military Police Company prepares to leave for tour of duty providing State Dept. escort and protection

Phil Sussman/Northwest Guardian

The 571st Military Police Company cased its colors July 27 in a ceremony attended by several dozen friends and family members before leaving Fort Lewis to become the sole military police escort unit in Baghdad.

The company, under the leadership of Capt. Scott Chalkley, will depart for a yearlong deployment to an Iraq far different than the Soldiers came to know during their previous tour nearly two years ago.

And this time around, their mission will be just as unique as their surroundings. “The mission we’re going to be doing is very difficult,” said Chalkley. “And there’s only one MP company that’s going to be doing it ... so we are very honored to be the unit that’s going to get to do that for our country.”

While in Baqubah from October 2006 to January 2008, the Dragon Crusher company focused mainly on training Iraqi police and supporting combat operations.

Their upcoming assignment, conducting escort missions and protective service details for members of the State Department, once again tasks the company with another key role in rebuilding the country.

“We’ll be making sure that our diplomats, engineers ... and folks that are going to be interfacing with the Iraqi government can get to where they need to go,” said Chalkley.

We will “make sure they can have those key leader engagements and can help develop and mentor the Iraqi leadership. We are going to be a large part of making sure that they can get there safely,” he said.

While their responsibilities in the upcoming deployment have changed from their most recent Iraq rotation, training remained largely the same for the seasoned company, according to the 571st MP commander. To prepare for their new role, the company conducted training missions at Fort Lewis, Yakima Training Center and two rotations at the National Training Center.

Following the casing of the company flag, 504th MP Bn. commander Lt. Col. John Voorhees expressed thanks and appreciation for the service of the approximately 150 Soldiers in the company.

“Not as your battalion commander, but more so as a fellow American, and on behalf of myself and my family and other fellow Americans, I say thank you to the 571st MP Company ... for what you do for our nation (and) for the sacrifices and hardships you are willing to endure so that we can be safe here back at home.”

Voorhees also stressed the importance of unit readiness.

“Avoid the apathy and lack of attention to detail that degrades a unit’s readiness. I charge you to keep your head in the game, each and every single day, and maintain that high level of readiness you need in order to be successful,” said the battalion commander.

Imparting a final message to the military police company, Chalkley emphasized the strength of his Soldiers, forged through a year of continuous and difficult training.

“Your hard work, the blood and sweat you’ve shed here at Fort Lewis, the blizzards and high winds out at Yakima, the scorching sun out at Fort Irwin ... for the last several months, you have excelled at every challenge presented before you.

“You are ready.”