DEVENS, Mass. – Six kilometers Northeast of Mosul, Iraq, Soldiers of the 747th Military Police Company, Massachusetts National Guard, speed towards their objective; the village of Olmush. The daily activities of the village unfold before the eyes of 747th, despite being 2 kilometers away. Shopkeepers hawking wares, sheppards tending flocks and insurgents placing improvised explosive devices are all clearly visible on 1st Lt. Justin Prophet’s laptop screen.
Prophet marks the location on his screen, radios in to report the suspicious activity and continues scanning the screen for additional danger. Moments after calling in the threat, Prophet maintains watch on the insurgents as the Quick Reaction Force moves in and neutralizes the IED and apprehends the suspects.