April 14, 2016 –
The 307th Military Police Company, an Army Reserve unit based out of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, departed the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group March 27, to a nine-month deployment at Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.
Normally a combat support company, the 307th MP Co. will provide care, custody, and control while on a detainee operations mission at Gitmo.
“It’s a totally different animal, the focus is different,” said Capt. Stephanie Edinger, commander, 307th MP Co. “We were able to get some additional training, broaden our scope. So we are looking forward to a different theater than we have been used to in the last couple of years.”
Edinger is deploying for a third time and has been a Reservist for more than 15 years, a career that has led up to this mission.
“This was my first unit when I enlisted. I came into the Army, into the 307th, and deployed with them as a specialist,” Edinger said. “To go full circle and take command, take the unit into theater is definitely a privilege. I am excited to do it. They are by far the best group of Soldiers I have worked with in my career.”
Many in the unit will be deploying for the first time, so the pivot to detainee operations will not be as pronounced as for seasoned Soldiers. Preparation for this mission was key for all personnel. The company completed mobilization training under the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security.
“The training did prepare me because prior to this I had no idea about detainee operations,” Spc. Richard Foster said. “What really helped was operating a mock facility, a mock detention center. They actually brought in role players for us to handle. Everyone learned and adapted to the situations.”
“The unit we are replacing sent up people from down there and we were able to talk to them, ask questions, how to handle different scenarios. It was very good,” said Pfc. Meredith Cox. “I feel fully prepared to execute the mission at hand and I know the higher ups will have my back.”
From top to bottom, learning the most current standard operating procedures from subject matter experts left all Soldiers in the 307th MP Co. comfortable with the mission that awaits them.
“The crew out there at McGregor Range (New Mexico) is fantastic, a really good crew to work with. It was phenomenal training” said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Jenkins, platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon, 307th MP Co., “(It was) some of the best I have had in my five mobilizations.”
Training allowed for all Soldiers to not only prepare for the mission, but to create unit cohesion that is also key to mission success.
“This is the tightest unit I have ever seen,” Jenkins said. “This is the biggest, happiest family that I have known. Everybody from the lower enlisted to the seniors to the new guys that came in from out of state, we bonded like I have never seen a unit bond before.”
“We are definitely close as a squad and our platoon as a whole has always been like a family,” said Spc. Hannah George. “We mesh really well, work together very well. We will succeed.”
The bonds and sense of family present in the 307th MP Co. will only grow stronger as they embark upon their upcoming mission. The leadership of the company is cognizant of the sacrifices the Soldiers and their families are making.
“Thank you. Thank you to the families and friends of my Soldiers,” Edinger said. “They are a cohesive group and treat each other like family. Don’t worry that your Soldier is by themselves, they have family here too.”