About 120 Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 940th Military Police Company, 198th Military Police Battalion, deployed to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands Oct. 1-27, 2017 to provide support to civil authorities in the wake of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.
The 940th MP Company’s mission included presence patrols, critical site security, traffic control and curfew enforcement.
“We are so very proud of every Soldier of the 940th and the job they do,” said LTC John Blackburn, commander of the 198th Military Police Battalion. “They are always there to answer the call, regardless of the mission. We’re glad things came together for us to help the people of the Virgin Islands. Being a part of the team providing support is a proud moment for the 940th and the Kentucky National Guard.”
Kentucky MPs worked with the Virgin Island Police Department (VIPD) to enforce curfews, performing an estimated 14,000 joint patrol hours. With extensive damage across the island, security was required at shelters and infrastructure sites. Soldiers also worked at traffic intersections across the island because nearly 80 percent of the island was without power, leaving few traffic lights operable.
“This was not only an MP mission, this was a National Guard mission and the 940th played a crucial role in support of local authorities,” said CPT Jared Stakelin, commander of the 940th. “The relationship we built with the Virgin Islands Police Department will be a lasting one and a quality learning experience for this unit.
“Sure, we provided what assistance we could to help the Virgin Islands recover, but we are a better MP company because of this mission and the people we interacted with.”
The 940th was augmented by members of Kentucky’s 223rd, 438th and 617th Military Police Companies, and the 1103rd Military Police Detachment.
“It’s missions like these that are the reason I joined the National Guard,” said PVT Dean Gollar. “The people of the Virgin Islands were in need in a big way, and we were able to use our training to help them. Everyone there was so happy to have us around. I think we made them feel safe. It was a great experience, and I really feel like we made a positive difference.”
Following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, the Kentucky National Guard also sent Soldiers from the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade to serve in various roles in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida.
Overall, nearly 300 Kentucky Guard members have assisted with relief operations since Hurricane Harvey first hit last August.
BY SGT Tosha Cobler, KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD
