Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion 2

Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion 2 (NPDB2) is a United States Navy task force of 422 active duty and Naval Reserve Sailors formed 1 May 2006 for the purpose of combat duties in Iraq.

Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion TWO
Coat of arms
Active2006-2007
Country United States
BranchUnited States Navy
TypeDetainee Ops/Combat - Ground Units
SizeBattalion
Garrison/HQNorfolk, Virginia
Nickname(s)Sand Pirates
Motto(s)"!!"
EngagementsIraq Campaign
DecorationsNavy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion 2

Overview

NPDB 2 was formed under the Individual Augmentation Program, that trains US Navy members from all Navy communities (aviation, submariners, surface, hospital corps) to fill manpower shortages for in theater assignments in the US led Global War On Terrorism (GWOT). The sailors were all "individual augmentees -- sailors who fill a non-traditional expeditionary combat support or combat service mission".

Prior to deploying in August 2006, they received three months of training from the Army at Fort Bliss, Texas which included convoy operations, self-defense tactics, riot control, hand-to-hand combat, non-lethal weapons, first aid, search and seizure, and urban operations.

NPDB2 sailors served in Iraq at Camp Bucca under the command of the US Army's 16th Military Police Brigade. During its deployment one sailor was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries in combat, and another died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.[1][2][3] Additionally, two sailors received battlefield promotions through the Combat Meritorious Advancement Program for their achievements during the deployment.[4]

NPDB2 was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for extremely meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 01-May-2006 to 01-Jun-2007.[5]

Extended deployment

In 26 March 2007 Commander of NPDB 2 announced that personnel serving with the battalion, were being involuntarily extended as per a request by the Commanding General Task Force 134 for 3 months making it a total of 15 months deployed. Subsequently making the detainee battalion the longest "boots on ground" Navy unit since World War II. This news came to the sailors just 35 days prior to the units scheduled departure from Camp Bucca. The unit was redeployed to Naval Station Norfolk on 10 August 2007.[6][7]

References
  1. "Sailor dies in non-combat related incident". Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2007.
  2. "Sailor From Brooklyn Dies in Iraq". CBS Radio. 21 January 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
  3. "DoD Identifies Navy Casualty". U.S. Department of Defense News Release. 21 January 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
  4. Petty Officer 3rd Class David Wyscaver (15 August 2007). "Family, Friends Welcome Troops: After 16 months in Iraq, sailors return to Norfolk". Department of Defense - Public Affairs Office. Archived from the original on 12 September 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2007.
  5. "Unit Awards for Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  6. Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Jon McMillan (9 May 2007). "NPDB 3 Begins Mission in Bucca, NPDB 2 Remains". Navy Newsstand. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  7. STEPHANIE HEINATZ (8 August 2007). "Navy battalion returns to Norfolk on Friday". Newport News, Virginia, Daily Press. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
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