Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
A soldier from the 5th MPAD filming while on patrol in Iraq
Active
Country	United States
Branch	U.S. Army
Type	Maneuver, Fires & Effects
Role	Public Relations & Internal Publications
Size	20 Personnel
Garrison/HQ	22nd- Fort Bragg, NC 16th- Fort Bliss, TX 7th- Fort Hood, TX 5th- Fort Lewis, WA

Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, or MPAD, is a type of unit found in the United States Army.

Background

A Mobile Public Affairs Detachment is a modular, task organizable unit that normally augments a corps public affairs section or a Press Camp Headquarters (PCH). In support of a PCH, it provides manpower and equipment to establish and operate a media center at theater army, TAACOM and corps levels. The MPAD is commanded by a Major and includes 20 soldiers. These soldiers typically include one First Sergeant, three Captains, seven broadcast journalists (Military Occupational Specialty 46R), and eight print journalists (MOS 46Q). The journalists range in rank from Private
(E-2), to Sergeant First Class (E-7).

Mission

MPADs are charged with gathering and distributing media to both internal and external audiences. They may be expected to produce either a newspaper, magazine, or a newscast. MPADs also serve to facilitate civilian media of all nationalities. They ensure the Army's policy of "maximum disclosure, minimum delay" is upheld. This is accomplished with press releases, response to Queries, and by aiding media with travel, lodging, meals, and internet or phone connectivity. In addition, both the Army print and broadcast journalists within the MPAD distribute high quality video footage and print stories from their area of deployment to news organizations all over the world. Many of these are then used by these media organizations in their broadcasts and publications. The MPAD also records archival combat footage. Much of this footage is later used in civilian news or documentary programs.

On occasion, an MPAD will take on media related missions which are not necessarily within their doctrinal parameters. An example of this occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom II, when the 122nd MPAD, commanded by Major John Fuhrman, helped to train and organize pro-democracy journalists within the metropolitan area of Baghdad, Iraq. Whatever their mission, MPAD units represent an invaluable tool for Division, Corps or even Theater Commanders who are able to significantly augment their organic Public Affairs assets. Although often an independent and separately attached unit, the MPAD often falls within the authority of the Division, Corps or Theater Public Affairs Officer depending on which of these echelons they are attached to while deployed.

Active Duty Units

There are currently four active duty MPADs. The 22nd MPAD is stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was until recently the only active duty MPAD. The three newest MPADs were created to assist in the wake of September 11, 2001 and the Global War on Terror. They are the 5th MPAD, stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington, the 7th MPAD, stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and the 16th MPAD, stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Reserve Units

There are 16 MPADs in the Army Reserve.

Unit	Location
367th MPAD	Whitehall, Ohio
362nd MPAD	Londonderry, N.H.
326th MPAD	Reading, Penn.
354th MPAD	Moon Township, Penn.
214th MPAD	Richmond, Va.
210th MPAD	Garner, N.C.
319th MPAD	Ft. Jackson, S.C.
372nd MPAD	Nashville, Tenn.
300th MPAD	Ft. McPherson, Ga.
215th MPAD	New Orleans, La.
343rd MPAD	North Little Rock, Ark.
345th MPAD	Ft. Sam Houston, Texas
211th MPAD	Bryan, Texas
305th MPAD	Ft. Shafter, Hawaii
366th MPAD	Wichita, Kansas
302nd MPAD	Bell, Calif.

References

• U.S. Army FM 3-61.1, Public Affairs Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
• 122nd MPAD in Iraq