200th Military Police Company Tests Skills at Red Flag-Alaska
By Capt. Dylan Bradford
FORT GREELY, Alaska — Nearly 100 Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Company participated in Red Flag-Alaska, a premier joint air, naval, and ground force exercise from August 15-29, 2024, pushing their tactical skills and teamwork to the limit.
This marked one of the largest training events for the 200th MP Co. in recent years, with Soldiers spending more than two weeks on the ground, not including travel days, during the 18-day mission.
The unit was tasked as the opposing force or OPFOR for the friendly ground forces of the exercise, creating realistic scenarios to challenge and enhance joint force interoperability.
“Red Flag is where Soldiers are pushed beyond their limits, and the 200th Military Police Company did just that—and more,” said Maryland Army National Guard Sgt. Joshua Middleton, a military police soldier with the 200th MP Co. “Every challenge was met with determination, every mistake was a lesson, and every success was embraced with humility.”
Four Soldiers supported the exercise planners within the Red Flag white cell, coordinating key interactions between U.S. Special Forces, as well as elements of the Canadian and Australian Air Forces, ensuring the exercise met its rigorous objectives.
The first four days focused on mandatory briefs and intensive train-up sessions, preparing Soldiers for the complex scenarios ahead. Over the following 10 days, platoons rotated every 72 hours between objectives across the Donnelly and Yukon Training Areas, experiencing harsh operational challenges such as rough terrain and dramatic 60-degree temperature swings.
The 200th MP Co. was the first U.S. unit in the history of Red Flag-Alaska to identify and capture Joint Special Operations Command personnel while serving as OPFOR during the exercise.
“Through the relentless challenges of Red Flag, the Soldiers of the 200th forged bonds that will last a lifetime,” said Maryland Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Adam Glasgow, the 200th MP Co. first sergeant. “Under unforgiving skies and harsh conditions, they stood together, united not just by duty, but by shared trials that tested their limits. These Soldiers didn’t just survive—they thrived, achieving what no other ground force had done before: capturing SOF personnel.”
During the exercise, Brig. Gen. Andrew Collins, the commander of the Maryland Army National Guard, observed some of the mission planning and recognized high performing Soldiers.
Red Flag-Alaska offered the 200th MP Co. a chance to sharpen their tactical proficiency while reinforcing the importance of joint force cooperation in complex environments. According to leadership, their efforts showcased the professionalism and dedication of the Maryland National Guard’s military police units.
“Supporting Red Flag-Alaska was a great opportunity for the 200th MP Company to train for its wartime mission—conducting security in rear areas to protect critical assets from adversary reconnaissance and special forces,” said Maryland Army National Guard Lt. Col. John Rodriguez, commander of the 115th Military Police Battalion. “Operating 24/7 in harsh terrain and weather, the 200th successfully disrupted adversary activities and learned valuable lessons to enhance future training.”
