Military police unit conducts annual validation training

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AUGUSTA, MAINE (05/17/2021) (readMedia)-- Soldiers from the 488th Military Police Company tested their training during their annual National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) validation, May 1, 2021.

"The purpose of the exercise is to test the company's ability to quickly react to a disturbance in the state of Maine," said Capt. Garrett Clark, the commander of the 488th. "The training is as close to real world as it can be, thanks to the numerous role players and diverse and evolving scenarios throughout the exercise."

Clark added that the NGRF is an additional mission set that all states designate to a unit, which requires an annual validation event like the one held over May drill. During the exercise, the soldiers were evaluated on their civil disturbance response, area security, entry control point procedures, and other required tasks.

Capt. Mickael Nunez from the 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) supported the exercise and discussed how it shows the 488th's ability to quickly assist law enforcement when necessary.

"Basically, it's about how they handle a situation with rioters and handle it with proper escalation of force," said Nunez, who is a Maine State Trooper outside his part time military service. "They have to be able to de-escalate down and handle that appropriately."

"This is one of the better exercises of the year," added Clark. "This training is invaluable for the MP company, having already been activated twice this year for real world missions in Augusta and Washington, D.C. As the commander, it allows me to see what aspects of the company work well, and what we can improve on."

Headquartered in Waterville, the 488th was formed in 2008 and consists of approximately 160 soldiers from across Maine. The unit deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

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Captions:

001: Soldiers acting as role players during the 488th Military Police Company's National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) annual validation exercise receive their in-brief and instructions for the training event, May 1, 2021. The training tests the Soldiers and the 488th on their ability to support civilian law enforcement.

002: Soldiers with the 488th Military Police Company arrive on scene during their annual National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) validation exercise May 1, 2021, in Augusta. The event tests the Soldiers and the unit on their ability to support civilian law enforcement.

003: Role players creating a mock civil disturbance are confronted by Soldiers of the 488th Military Police Company during the unit's annual National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) validation exercise, May 1, 2021. The event tests the Soldiers and the unit on their ability to support civilian law enforcement.

004: Soldiers from the 488th Military Police Company detain a role player during the unit's National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) annual validation event, May 1, 2021. The event tests the Soldiers and the unit on their ability to support civilian law enforcement.

005: Soldiers from the 488th Military Police Company check two role players' identification during the unit's annual National Guard Reaction Force (NGRF) validation event. The event tests the Soldiers and the unit on their ability to support civilian law enforcement.

Maine Army National Guard photos by Sgt. Darin Douin / Released