The Army required installations to be inspected to determine their compliance with regulations regarding physical security. A formal written report, often supported by photographs, was sent to Army headquarters with copies to the installation inspected and its parent organizations. The report followed a specific format that included descriptive information about the installation and command structure; deficiencies and recommendations for correction. Areas inspected included, but where not limited to, perimeter, lighting, ingress and egress, storage and disposition of secure information/records, guard post and guard orders, etc.
Example: If the perimeter of an installation consisted of barbed wire and areas where overgrown with vegetation, this would be noted as a deficiency per Army regulation “such and such,” Later in the report, the corrective action was stated per Army regulation “such and such.”
Our unit consisted of six EMs generally working in two man teams. The six of us where TDY from various MP Companies and worked directly for the Deputy PM. We lived in the hooch next to the old PMO, showered and eat at the mess for the engineer company nearby. Originally, our office was located inside the rear entrance to the old PMO, however, when the new PMO was built, we occupied an office on the second floor.
After being assigned to the Physical Security Unit, we completed a physical security training course in Saigon. As we were TDY from various units, we each joined the Physical Security Unit at different times, and, thus, worked with a number of other EMs during our assignment.
While our unit was responsible for inspections of installations in the III and IV Corps Tactical Zones, most of the inspections were within driving distance of the Post. An exception was the inspection of the Can Tho Army Airfield. A two man team was there and distinguished themselves when the airfield was overrun during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Some of the installations inspected were inspected for the first time while others had been previously inspected. The installations included stand alone units e.g., the Can Tho Army Airfield and those within an installation e.g., the General Officer Quarters (Generals Row) at the Long Binh Post. SP/4 David K. Wheeler, 615th MP Company, 720th & 95th MP Battalions, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, 1967-1968. |
Regardless of unit or MOS, if you worked at the Long Binh Post Provost Marshal Office and have any photographs or stories, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.
