Military police company re-established at Fort Wainwright
Published Thursday, August 14, 2008
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FAIRBANKS — A military police unit with roots dating to World War II was re-activated Wednesday at Fort Wainwright.
The 472nd Military Police Company will provide security for the base but also is deployable to other parts of the world if necessary.
“Historically, the 472nd stood up in a time of war when they were needed, and within less than a year they were on the ground in Europe,” said the unit’s commander, 1st Lt. Mario Carpanzano. “That could potentially be the case with what the 472nd does right now.”
The company was originally activated in 1943 and saw duty in Michigan and Georgia before taking part in the invasion of Normandy. It was deactivated in 1946 but returned to duty 15 years later, this time assigned to U.S. Army Alaska, where the unit served until 1993, when it was again deactivated.
With the number of soldiers in Alaska and the Army overall on the rise as part of the “Grow The Army” initiative and the war on terror, commanders felt that it was again time to bring the 472nd back.
“Today our Army and corps are being tested as it rarely has been before in the global war on terror,” said Brig. Gen. Rodney L. Johnson, the provost marshal general of the Army.
Johnson spoke briefly before the uncasing of the unit’s colors, a green and gold flag. A red streamer was also attached to the flag, signaling the 472nd’s service in World War II.
“To me, this means the 472nd is back is going to carry on the tradition it has in the past to more accolades and accomplishments,” said Warren Turner, a retired Army major and Alaska State Trooper who served with the unit in the 1970s.
Many veterans of the 472nd, including a former Fairbanks police chief, have gone on to jobs in Alaska law enforcement after getting out of the Army.
“Fairbanks is a better place today because this company is back,” said Trooper Gary Tellep, another 472nd veteran who attended Wednesday’s ceremony.
Community Discussion
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Welcome back 472! I had the pleasure and honor of working with Warren Tanner in the early 80's. (DNM his last name is not Turner but Tanner)
Does this mean the mercenaries at the gate will be gone?
What a waste of money! As far as the gate, they are much better than the MP's. The MP's did nothing as far as security. They are a joke! The DOD cops and the civilians working at the Provost Marshal's office are useless. All they do is pat their time sheets and really don't work the hours they say they do.
Maybe they can hire some of the criminals to help them. After all they would fit right in.
Are there implications that they may be serving elsewhere? Such as Eastern Europe perhaps? I sure hope not.
Hope they give you MPs more than 10 9mm bullets, this of course being the war on terror and all!
Welcome back 472nd!!!!!!
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