The 16th Military Police Brigade, headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the U.S. Army’s only Airborne-capable Military Police brigade. Known as the “Peacekeepers”, the 16th MP Brigade has deployed worldwide in support of combat operations, peacekeeping missions, and law enforcement duties from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 16th Military Police Brigade.
The 16th Military Police Brigade was activated on 23 March 1966 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and immediately deployed to Vietnam. There, the brigade provided battlefield circulation control, convoy security, detainee operations, and law enforcement support throughout the conflict. Its MPs often found themselves in direct combat, protecting supply routes and defending bases under attack. For their service in Vietnam, the Soldiers of the 16th earned numerous commendations and built a reputation for professionalism under fire.
Cold War and Airborne Transition
Following Vietnam, the brigade was reassigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and became the Army’s only Airborne-capable Military Police brigade. As part of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 16th integrated into the Army’s rapid deployment force, ensuring that airborne and special operations units had military police support wherever they deployed.
During the Cold War, the brigade’s Soldiers took part in training exercises across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, while also performing law enforcement and security duties at home station.
Operations Since the 1980s
The 16th MP Brigade has been heavily committed to contingency operations around the globe, including:
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Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada, 1983) – MPs secured captured facilities and managed detainees.
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Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) – provided security during the capture of Manuel Noriega.
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Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990–1991) – battlefield circulation and detainee operations in Southwest Asia.
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Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti, 1994) – law enforcement and peacekeeping support during stability operations.
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Global War on Terror (2001–present) – extensive deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where the brigade supported combat operations, detainee facilities, convoy escort missions, and partnered with host-nation police forces.
Structure and Capabilities
The 16th MP Brigade commands multiple battalions that provide a wide range of capabilities, including:
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Airborne-capable military police operations.
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Internment and resettlement (I/R) operations.
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Law enforcement and security for installations and forward-deployed units.
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Maneuver and mobility support in combat zones.
As part of XVIII Airborne Corps, the brigade retains the ability to deploy rapidly worldwide alongside paratroopers and special operations forces.
Identity and Legacy
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Nickname: The Peacekeepers.
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Motto: “Duty, Justice, and Loyalty.”
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Distinction: The only Airborne-capable MP brigade in the U.S. Army.
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Decorations: Campaign streamers and unit citations from Vietnam through the Global War on Terror.
Enduring Role
From the jungles of Vietnam to modern deployments in the Middle East and beyond, the 16th Military Police Brigade has embodied the dual role of the MP Corps: enforcing law and order, while fighting alongside combat units in some of the Army’s toughest environments. As the Airborne MP Brigade, it continues to represent rapid deployment capability, discipline, and resilience.
Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 16th Military Police Brigade.