|  U.S. 
													Army Major Richard Cranford 
													deployed to Iraq in 
													September, 2007 where he 
													served as Military Police, 
													responsible for managing 
													execution of the police 
													partnership program. Working 
													closely with the Iraqi 
													Police Services in eastern 
													Baghdad, Cranford led 
													initiatives to train, coach 
													and mentor the Iraqi Police. 
 Cranford's work encompassed 
													seven Iraqi Police 
													districts, with more than 
													10,000 Iraqi Police 
													Officers. He was 
													specifically responsible for 
													tactical operations, 
													investigations, 
													administrative and 
													logistical support, and 
													training.
 
 In charge of the Tactical 
													Operations Center, Cranford 
													worked to synchronize the 
													Operations and Intelligence 
													sections to command and 
													control of 45 police 
													transition teams.
 
 During the deployment, 
													Cranford earned a Army 
													Commendation Medal for 
													courageous action taken 
													during an enemy indirect 
													fire attack, according to 
													the award citation. Cranford 
													responded, performing first 
													aid on Wounded Soldiers.
 
 Cranford also earned a 
													Bronze Star for his service 
													during the 2007 to 2008 
													deployment.
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