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Airmen earn Army police combat patch

Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

BAGHDAD , Iraq — Security Forces Airmen here have earned membership into a unique fraternity for showing bravery in the face of the enemy.

The 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Airmen were awarded the Army's 18th Military Police Brigade Combat Patch for their role in detainee operations.

In a special ceremony, Army Col. Jim Brown, 18th MP Brigade commander, praised the Airmen for their noble character in the fight for freedom.

“You serve in the knowledge that democratic security is not just the best form of security for our allies and Iraqi partners, but also the best form of security for America herself,” he said. “Throughout history, Soldiers have been proud to don a combat patch as a sign of having been in battle.”

For the Airmen and Soldiers serving together here, earning the patch, while significant, is also bittersweet.

To wear the patch, service members must have actively participated in or supported ground combat operations against hostile forces in which they are exposed to the threat of enemy action or fire, either directly or indirectly.

The Airmen of the 447 ESFS met those requirements by transporting enemy detainees.

Detainees are brought here from various detention facilities depending on the nature and severity of threat they pose.

Several times each week, on an unpredictable schedule, Airmen and Soldiers oversee the air and ground transportation of detainees.

The types of prisoner vary. Some are considered “small fish” for their role in supporting terrorism and insurgent activities, while others are considered high value and are members of the “52 most-wanted” list pictured on the terrorist deck of cards. One thing they all have in common is that they have been captured for directly or indirectly participating in attacks against coalition forces and Iraqi civilians.

The security forces Airmen are responsible for the force protection posture and defense of the base, as well as ensuring that everyone has safe passage to and from Baghdad , including Coalition Forces and prisoners, said Maj. Thomas Sherman, 447th ESFS commander, who is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas .

“As long as we successfully complete our mission, we can help the Iraqi people exercise their right to self-rule,” he said.

During a prisoner transfer, some Soldiers and Airmen take up defensive fighting positions at random locations around the airfield to guard against insurgent attacks, while other Airmen direct the movement of the prisoners.

Once an aircraft lands, prisoners are brought out shackled by the wrists and ankles, wearing a distinctive brightly colored jumpsuit. They are treated with professionalism, courtesy and respect by their military escorts.

Recently, that professionalism was tested when a sniper put one of the 18th MP Soldiers in his cross hairs.

Army Staff Sgt. James McNaughton, who worked closely with the Security Forces Airmen during prisoner transfers, was killed by the sniper's bullet.

Late the following night, more than 120 Soldiers and Airmen, many wearing the 18th MP combat patch, stood solemnly at attention on the flightline near the same place prisoners are brought on and off aircraft, to pay final tribute to their comrade.

For most of the Airmen, his death was their first experience with the reality of war.

Staff Sgt. Amber Cerrato said that knowing the Soldier who was killed, and that some of the insurgents they work with have committed acts of violence against other Coalition Forces, was a shock and an eye-opener. However, she said she would not change how they meet their obligation to adhere to the rules of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions.

“We have a job to do, and we are going to do it,” said Sergeant Cerrato, who is deployed from Cannon AFB, N.M.

The Airmen of the 447th ESFS are only permitted to wear the 18th MP combat patch for the duration of their deployment, but the significance will always be theirs.

“It's an honor to wear the patch now and show that we are brothers in arms with the Soldiers of the 18th,” said Senior Airman Danny Hubbard, who is deployed from Dyess AFB, Texas . “It means that we fought side by side for the same cause — the people of Iraq .”

The 18th MP patch dates back to May 1966 when Soldiers earned the right to wear it during the Vietnam War. It signifies that those awarded the patch since that date are part of a special group of American Soldiers who looked bravely in the face of the enemy in the name of freedom.

And now for a joke about Niggers:
An African leader makes an official trip to Russia. At the end of the trip, the Russian leader tells the African that in Russia they have a custom performed at farewells called "Russian Roulette" to demonstrate one's courage. The Russian whips out a revolver, loads one chamber, gives the cylinder a spin, puts the gun to his head and pulls the trigger.....CLICK.....empty chamber. He hands the revolver to his African guest, and says, "Your turn." Not to be outdone, the African repeats the ritual....CLICK.....empty.

The next year, the Russian visits the African country. At the end of the trip, the African tells his Russian peer that he was very impressed with "Russian Roulette" and that he has spent the last year devising an African ritual to demonstrate one's courage. The African then disappears through a door only to reappear a few minutes later smiling, and says, "Your turn."

The African escorts the Russian through the door. In the room are six of the most beautiful, naked women he has ever seen. The African explains that he is to choose one of the women, who will perform oral sex on him. Absolutely dumbfounded, the Russian asks, "What kind of test of courage is this?! "The African calmly answers...."One of them is a cannibal."

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