Nearly 50 Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers have returned home following a nine-month deployment to the Middle East, where the unit carried out security, force protection and investigative duties amid an evolving operational environment.
Friends, relatives and Oklahoma National Guard leaders gathered in Mustang, Oklahoma, on Aug. 20 to welcome members of the 745th Military Police Detachment, part of the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and 90th Troop Command.
The homecoming marked the conclusion of a deployment that began last fall and placed the Oklahoma Citizen-Soldiers within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Deployment Supported Operation Spartan Shield
The 745th deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, a U.S. military operation focused on strengthening regional security and building the capabilities of partner forces within the U.S. Central Command area.
During the nine-month assignment, the operational environment changed substantially. Capt. Bradley McGinnis, commander of the 745th, said the shift occurred as Operation Epic Fury began and the region transitioned to combat operations.
The development increased security demands on the unit, requiring Soldiers to adjust their operations while continuing to perform their assigned mission.
“Sergeant First Class Wood and I are beyond proud of every member of our unit,” McGinnis said. “Every Soldier upheld the highest standard and executed flawlessly. Their mental and physical fortitude allowed for our mission to be successful. We are proud to have represented the Oklahoma Army National Guard in major combat operations and owe a great deal of thanks to our families for supporting us during this deployment.”
Soldiers Conducted More Than 40,000 Vehicle Searches
Security operations represented a significant part of the unit’s work during the deployment. As force protection requirements increased, Soldiers searched more than 40,000 vehicles at one base.
The unit also managed the positioning of concrete barriers and bunkers at multiple bases across the region. Those measures were intended to strengthen force protection as security conditions evolved.
The scale of the vehicle inspection effort underscores the operational workload handled by the military police detachment during its deployment. At the same time, Soldiers were required to maintain established responsibilities while responding to additional security requirements.
Investigative Team Handled Cases Across Four Countries
Beyond physical security duties, the 745th’s investigative team supported law enforcement activities throughout the region.
The team conducted more than 120 investigations spanning four countries during the deployment. Its personnel also assisted the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division with complex felony cases, adding an investigative component to the unit’s broader security responsibilities.
Military police units can perform a range of duties during overseas deployments, including law enforcement, investigations and installation security. For the Oklahoma unit, those responsibilities expanded as conditions changed during the nine-month mission.
Oklahoma National Guard Leaders Praise Unit’s Performance
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, highlighted the Soldiers’ ability to continue carrying out their responsibilities despite the increasingly demanding environment.
“The Oklahoma National Guard is incredibly proud of the Soldiers of the 745th Military Police Detachment and the work they accomplished throughout this deployment. They faced a changing and increasingly demanding operational environment and continued to perform their mission with professionalism and dedication. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice, and we are proud to welcome them home alongside the families who supported them throughout this deployment.”
The Mustang ceremony brought the deployment to a close for the nearly 50 returning Soldiers and reunited them with families who had supported them throughout their time overseas.
Their return also concludes a mission that combined large-scale security screening, force protection improvements and investigative work across several countries. For the Oklahoma National Guard, the homecoming represents the completion of another overseas assignment for its Citizen-Soldiers and their transition back to their families and communities in Oklahoma.
