An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 28, 2017

Kentucky MPs partner with USVI Police for hurricane relief

By Sgt. Tosha Cobler 940th Military Police Company

WALTON, Ky.— Approximately 120 Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard's 940th Military Police Company deployed to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands Oct. 1-27, where they assisted with support to civil authorities in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

"We are so very proud of every Soldier of the 940thand the job they do. They are always there to answer the call, regardless of the mission," said Lt. Col. John Blackburn, commander of the 198th Military Police Battalion. "We're glad thingscame 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 940thand the Kentucky National Guard."

The 940th mission set included presence patrols, critical site security, traffic control and curfew enforcement.

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 traffic intersections across the island as 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 Capt. 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."

The940thwas augmented bymembersofKentucky's 223rd, 438th and617th Military Police Companies, and the 1103rd Military Police Detachment.

"It's missions like these that are the reason I joined the National Guard," said Private 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."

The Kentucky National Guard sent Soldiers from the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade to serve in various roles in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Airmen from the 123rd Airlift Wing have also conducted search and rescue and airlift evacuations throughout the Caribbean and currently have aircrews working to assist Puerto Rico with supply deliveries.

Overall, nearly 300 Kentucky Guard members have assisted with relief operations since Hurricane Harvey first hit in August.

 

 

Related Articles
Citizen-Soldiers of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard distributed supplies, food and water to isolated towns in Utuado, Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September 2017.
Puerto Rico National Guard ready for 2020 hurricane season
By Puerto Rico National Guard | June 2, 2020
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico National Guard is prepared for the start of the 2020 hurricane season and is urging residents to take precautions. “The Puerto Rico National Guard, and its more than 8,000...

Staff Sgt. John Cox, an air transportation specialist assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, poses with his dog Maria, on Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, N.Y., Dec. 15, 2017. Cox adopted Maria while deployed to Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria.
N.Y. Airman returns from hurricane support with furry friend
By Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Lambert | Dec. 19, 2017
STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. - When Staff Sgt. John Cox, an air transportation specialist assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, deployed to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Oct. 9, he assumed he would be helping the local...

Col. Raymond Figueroa, commander of the 156th Airlift Wing, speaks with the residents in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico during a community outreach program, Dec. 9, 2017. The two part effort saw wing members first on a door-to-door campaign followed by a centralized distribution of needs for victims of Hurricane Maria.
Airmen aid Puerto Rico town first struck by Hurricane Maria
By Master Sgt. Chris Botzum | Dec. 13, 2017
MUñIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico - On Dec. 9, a pre-dawn assembly of Airmen assigned to the 156th Airlift Wing conducted relief missions in Puerto Rico. Unusual? No, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard's recovery...