Federal Police Transition Team returns to Missouri

By: John Quin
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs




JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The 10-member Federal Police Transition Team returned home to Missouri on Thursday after spending a year deployed to Iraq.

While in Iraq, the team partnered with the Abu Risha Federal Police Brigade. The police brigade is headquartered in the city of Ramadi, the capital of the Al Anbar province. Lt. Col. Daniel Frickenschmidt, the team commander, said the mission had gone smoothly, particularly in the past few months.

"The last three months were the most successful because it took time for the Iraqis to trust and warm up to us," Frickenschmidt said.

Upon returning home, Frickenschmidt presented adjutant general Brig. Gen. Stephen Danner and Gov. Jay Nixon with special unit coins designed by team member Sgt. 1st Class Parrish Taggart.

Nixon, commander in chief of the Missouri National Guard, told the returning Soldiers that supporting Veterans is a major priority for his administration. He said he wanted to ensure that returning Veterans had access to jobs and any help they need readjusting to life back home through the Show Me Heroes Program and Yellow Ribbon Program.

"The state of Missouri will continue to stand behind these Veterans," Nixon said. "Thank you for what you have done on our behalf."

Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, thanked the Soldiers' Families for their sacrifices during the past year.

"We could not have done this and would not be able to do what we do without your support," Danner said.

Danner also recognized Maj. Mark Turner, whose return home marked the end of his third deployment. Danner had previously deployed with Turner as part of the 35th Area Support Group in Balad, Iraq from 2005-2007.

"Maj. Turner is a symbol for us all and a fine representative of this team," Danner said.

During the early days of the deployment, the team was designated as the Military Transition Team and was assigned to work with the Iraqi army. After being on the ground, the unit's mission was changed to training federal police on military-style staff operations. The team assisted the police brigade in planning and carrying out missions, ensuring that each department functioned correctly and that all the departments worked well together.

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Posted: 5/14/2010 8:33:05 AM