384th Military Police Company deploying to Iraq

384th Military Police Company deploying to Iraq

The Indiana National Guard's 384th Military Police Company, headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., will hold its departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 at 2 p.m.

In September Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general, received notification that the company would mobilize in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 170-person unit will teach and mentor Iraqi police officers as part of a police transition team. The 384th will first head to Fort Dix, N.J., and will receive specialized training on military skills critical of their mission. The unit will focus on critical tasks necessary to insure the Soldiers and their leaders are ready for mission success during their deployment.

The company is commanded by Capt. Joseph R. Cottone, Osgood, Ind., and its top enlisted Soldier is 1st Sgt. Christopher Warren, Hillsdale, Mich. The unit has a detachment in Evansville, Ind., and for this deployment it will be supplemented with troops from the 381st Military Police Company headquartered in Plymouth, Ind.

"These Citizen-Soldiers and their families make great sacrifices. We are indebted to them for their selfless service to the nation. These Hoosier Guardsmen are a superb and indispensable part of the team," said Maj. Gen. Umbarger.

Media are invited to attend the ceremony at the 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade Armory gymnasium.

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