By JILL FANKHAUSER
Alaska Star

Soldiers of the 545th Military Police company deploy this week for a 12-month tour in Iraq. The company cased its flag in a deployment ceremony May 19 at Pershing Parade Field on Fort Richardson.

About 175 soldiers, half of whom are already veterans of the Iraq war, are headed to the north of Baghdad to mentor and train Iraqi police

A soldier stands with an American flag that was found at the Pentagon by Brig. Gen. David Phillips moments after the 9/11 attack on the building. Philips takes the flag anywhere soldiers will be honored, such as deployments, retirements and medal ceremonies. Star photo by Jill Fankhauser

The company’s duties include teaching Iraqi police basic principles of law enforcement, such as how to secure a crime scene, track suspects or preserve evidence, said 1st Sgt. Connie Dementer.

“If there is a murder (we’ll show them) how to secure the scene, take pictures and figure out who the suspect could be,” Dementer said. “Because over there you don’t see that a lot. If someone’s killed they throw the body in the back of a car and take it away. It’s way different.”

This is Demeter’s second tour. Her family, four daughters and a husband - also a MP, will stay behind in Palmer during her deployment.

“I’m nervous,” Dementer said. “I won’t lie.”

She’s anxious about leaving behind her family, but is confident in the company’s training and ability. The 545th recently completed training at the Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. Dementer said it was a chance for soldiers and leadership to build up their confidence and skills.

Commander of the 545th Military Police company Michael Mixon cases the flag, also know as colors, with company 1st Sgt. Connie Dementer. Star photo by Jill Fankhauser

The MP company’s new duties include mentoring Iraqi police and going along on patrols to observe the Iraqi force in action.

Mixon couldn’t say whether or not there is an insurgency problem in the area the company is headed to.

“Things have gotten a lot better over there,” Mixon said. “Iraqi police are getting better trained and more equipped where they can do it. We expect to build on that.”

During the 545th’s deployment ceremony, Brig. Gen. David Phillips spoke about the company’s duties and responsibilities and reminded them why the soldiers were serving in Iraq.

Phillips brought an American flag with him to the deployment ceremony. He got the flag from inside the Pentagon after a hijacked airplane hit it on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, Phillips was director for security of the Army staff. He had just left the building when the plane hit. Phillips went back in to search for his staff - all perished in the attack.

“I recovered this set of national colors at 9:36 in the morning on 9/11 from the destroyed area of the Pentagon,” he said. “I want all members of the 545th never to forget why you are deploying, our nation and this war. You are going to be vanguards at the tip of the spear protecting our nation and our home back here and fighting for what these colors stand for.”

The 545th has a long history. It’s the most decorated MP company in the U.S. Army. Started in 1939, the company has served in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Southwest Asia and Iraq. The company has helped during disasters like Hurricane Katrina and provided security for major operations and combat support all over the world. It was activated at Fort Richardson Aug. 12, 2008. Its guidon is full of streamers and service awards.

For Dementer, it’s the service and honor that makes her proud. She has been an MP for 16 years and is eager to teach other police officers, especially those in Iraq, about justice and how to find it.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, May 28, 2009.