Anchorage Daily News

FAIRBANKS -- A military police unit with World War II roots has been reactivated at Fort Wainwright.

Army officials say the 472nd Military Police Company will provide security for the post but also can be deployed to other parts of the world if necessary.

"Historically, the 472nd stood up in a time of war when they were needed, and within less than a year they were on the ground in Europe," said the unit's commander, 1st Lt. Mario Carpanzano. "That could potentially be the case with what the 472nd does right now."

The company, originally activated in 1943, saw duty in Michigan and Georgia before taking part in the invasion of Normandy.

It was deactivated in 1946. It returned to duty 15 years later, this time assigned to U.S. Army Alaska. The unit served until it again was deactivated in 1993.

It was reinstated Wednesday.

With the number of soldiers in Alaska and the Army overall on the rise, commanders felt that it was again time to bring the 472nd back.

"Today our Army and corps are being tested as it rarely has been before in the global war on terror," said Brig. Gen. Rodney L. Johnson, the provost marshal general of the Army.

He briefly spoke before the uncasing of the unit's green and gold flag. Attached to the flag was a red streamer, signifying the 472nd's service in World War II.

Many veterans of the 472nd have gone on to jobs in Alaska law enforcement after getting out of the Army.

"Fairbanks is a better place today because this company is back," said trooper Gary Tellep, a 472nd veteran who attended Wednesday's reactivation ceremony.

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