At the start of 1996 the 720th MP Battalion was headquartered subordinate to the 89th MP Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas.

~ July ~

19 July, Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia The Battalion HQ Detachment, supported by the 64th and 411th MP Companies, deployed to Bosnia along with the HQ Detachment 519th MP Battalion, Fort Polk, Lousianna.

The 519th is supported by the 984th MP Company, Fort Carson, Colorado, 65th MP Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 258th MP Company, Fort Polk and the 293rd MP Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia, in support of Operation Joint Endeavor.

519th

The Implementation Force (IFOR) mission in Bosnia, under the 1st Armored Divisions, Task Force Eagle, shifted from an emphasis on implementing the military provisions of the Dayton peace accords that ended the Bosnian war last fall to assisting civilian-run functions such as resettling refugees. The deployment of 1,400 MP’s replaces a reduction in armored and artillery units returning to their bases in Germany.

Swapping armored forces for MPs is meant to give the peacekeepers more mobility and flexibility as they focus on overseeing the resettlement of refugees, aiding in preparations for the elections and supporting other civil tasks such as investigations by International War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) at mass grave sites.

~ September ~

14 September, Bosnia The IFOR elements of the 720th MP Battalion, with support from two Platoons of Company A, 4th Battalion, 12 Infantry (Mechanized), from Baumholder, Germany, secured various military sites and formed a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in the Srebrenica area during the national elections.

The election results will determine three winners, one from each ethnic group, to form a collective, three-person presidency. Whichever candidate gets the most votes, whether Serb, Muslim or Croat, will be the chairman of the joint presidency.

~ November ~

10 November, Bosnia The 1st Armored Division transferred authority for command and control of Multinational Division (North) (MND(N)) IFOR/SFOR and Task Force Eagle to the 1st Infantry Division.

1st

1st Inf.

Elements of the 1st Infantry Division including the 720th MP Battalion, deployed as a covering force [CFOR] to allow the safe return of the 1st Armored Division units to their home bases in Germany.

~ December ~

20 December, Operation Joint Guard, Bosnia Operation Joint Endeavor, under the 1st Infantry Divisions, Task Force Eagle, gave way to Operation Joint Guard. NATO's 60,000-member implementation force (IFOR), completed its mission in Bosnia, and a 31,000-strong stabilization force (SFOR), deployed for the next phase of the alliance peace effort. About 1,200 troops from the 720th Military Police Battalion, and the 519th Military Police Battalion from Fort Polk, Louisiana, who deployed 19 July remained as part of the stabilization force.

"Ambush on Route Sparrow"

The Stabilization Force (SFOR) mission is to prevent resumption of hostilities, maintain a secure environment and provide selective support to civilian organizations. SFOR troops are patrolling zones of separation, inspecting weapon storage sites, manning checkpoints and conducting liaison meetings with local government officials and other civil affairs missions.

History project Managers Note: on 19 January 1999 the 411th and 64th MP Companies were awarded the Army Superior Unit Award for their service in Task Force Eagle Implementation Force (IFOR).