SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/25/2015)(readMedia)-- Col. Michael Haerr, who retired in May after 33 years in the Illinois Army National Guard was presented with the Legion of Merit at a ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois Aug. 25.

The award cited Haerr's exceptionally meritorious service over the course of his career, which culminated as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Logistics.

Over the course of Haerr's career he held two commands with 1st Battalion, 123rd Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, earning five Meritorious Service Medals along the way. He was also a full-time military technician for 25 years.

Five Soldiers mobilize May 15 as part of an embedded staff team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/11/2015)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony is scheduled for five Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan as part of an embedded staff team. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A15 will be May 15 at 11 a.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Illinois.

The Soldiers will train for a brief time at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying to Afghanistan. The unique mission allows Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

"Our 20-year partnership with Poland is the strongest National Guard State Partnership Program in the nation," said Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Illinois Soldiers and Airmen are instrumental in developing secure international relationships, while broadening their experiences and developing their military skills."

The team is expected to return to Illinois in spring 2016.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and are asked to contact Public Affairs at 217-761-3569 to gain access to Camp Lincoln.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/24/2015)(readMedia)-- March 25, marks National Medal of Honor Day. On July 12, 1862; President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill into law on behalf of Congress, creating the Army Medal of Honor. The bill stated, "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection." In 1863, the medal became a permanent military decoration available to all ranks and branches of the American Armed Forces. Today, the President in the name of Congress presents the Medal of Honor. One hundred and thirteen of the more than 3,400-awarded medals belong to Soldiers of the Illinois National Guard, previously known as the Illinois Militia.

One hundred and fifty years ago this April 2 during the American Civil War, the fierce fighting in Petersburg, Va. drew to a close. Meanwhile fighting began at Fort Blakely, Ala. onApril 2 and lasted until the ninth. Grant's efforts at Petersburg led to the fall of Richmond, Va., the Confederate Capitol, effectively ending the war.

As the sesquicentennial of the Civil War enters the final month, the Illinois National Guard remembers and highlights the following Soldiers from those battles who received the Medal of Honor (MoH):

• Cpl. Abner P. Allen of Woodford County, Ill., entered service at Bloomington, Ill., enlisted in Co. K, 39th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Petersburg, Va., issued May 12, 1865.

• Pvt. John H. Callahan of Shelby County, Ky., entered service at Macoupin County, Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 122nd Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

• Cpl. Patrick Highland of Ireland, entered service at Chicago, Ill., enlisted in Co. D, 23rd Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Petersburg, Va., issued May 12, 1865.

• Cpt. Samuel McConnell of Belmont County, Ohio, entered service at Bushnell, McDonough County, Ill., enlisted in Co. H, 119th Ill., Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued April 9, 1865.

• Sgt. Thomas McGraw of Ireland, entered service at Chicago, Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 23rd Ill Inf., awarded MoH for action at Petersburg, Va., issued May 12, 1865.

• Cpt. Henry A. Miller of Germany, entered service at Decatur, Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 8th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakeley, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

• 1 Lt. Thomas H. L. Payne of Boston, Mass., entered service at Mendota, La Salle County, Ill., enlisted in Co. E, 37th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued April 1, 1898.

• Cpt. Patrick H. Pentzer of Marion County, Mo., entered service at Gillespie, Macoupin County, Ill., enlisted in Co. C, 97th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued October 9, 1879.

• Sgt. George F. Rebmann of Schuyler County Ill., entered service at Browning, Schuyler County Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 119th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

• Lt. Col. Victor Vifquain of Belgium, entered service in Saline County, Neb., served in 97th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865. (Awarded another MoH for action during the Spanish American War of 1898).

• Lt. Col. Loyd Wheaton of Calhoun County, Mich., entered service in Ill., served in 8th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued January 16, 1894.

• Pvt. John Whitmore of Brown County, Ill., entered service in Camden, Schuyler County, Ill., enlisted in Co. F, 119th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

The Illinois State Military Museum displays the MoH belonging to 1st Sgt. Johannes S. Anderson of Finland. He entered service from Chicago, served in Co. B, 132nd Inf., 33rd Div., awarded the MoH for actions at Consenvoye, France during World War I. This medal is also one of the 113 presented to Illinois National Guard Soldiers. The museum is at 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, Ill. Museum hours are Saturday through Friday from 1:00 to 4:30.

View Online: http://readme.readmedia.com/Illinois-National-Guard-Recognizes-National-Medal-of-Honor-Day/10744121

Tate-Nadeau will oversee Illinois National Guard's Domestic Operations

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/07/2015)(readMedia)-- March 7 Col. Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau made history when she was promoted to brigadier general, the first female in the Illinois National Guard to earn the rank. However, to her it is not about gender; it is about being the best.

"Being a leader transcends gender and everything else," she said. "I never wanted to be the best female officer. I wanted to be the best officer."

Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, promoted Tate-Nadeau of Chicago and formerly of Delavan, Illinois. She was joined by her family, friends and approximately 200 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen during the ceremony at Camp Lincoln's Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois. Tate-Nadeau's children, Lindsey and Gavin, and retired Maj. Gen. Randal Thomas, former Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, joined Krumrei to pin on her new rank.

Her goal of being the best officer looked a little different more than 30 years ago when Tate-Nadeau was enjoying her college years at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1984. At the time, she was studying business and was busy with her sorority when the Dean of Women recommended she take a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) course to improve her grade point average.

"After one course I found out I loved it and I was pretty good at it," she said. "I didn't realize she brought me on a course that was life changing for me. That one lady, caring about me, had such a dramatic impact on my life. If it hadn't been for her I never would have been introduced to the military, let alone 30 years of service."

She soon transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, then graduated and earned her commission to second lieutenant in 1986 through its ROTC program.

Tate-Nadeau said her leadership style is rooted in the standard she learned from retired Col. Norman Aschenbrenner, her battalion commander while she was company commander for Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 44th Chemical Battalion in Sycamore, Illinois, from 1989 to 1991.

"He taught me there was only one standard, for the men and women who serve. Make a decision that is good for your Soldier or you're wrong and he was going to hold you, as an officer, accountable for that," she said.

A few years later, as a married mom working on her master's degree in hospital administration, she transitioned from a traditional, one-weekend a month Guardsman to a full-time Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldier in 1997.

Since then, Tate-Nadeau's subordinates have experienced her early-rooted leadership style first-hand.

Sgt. Maj. Mary Dixon of Chapin, Illinois, with the 108th Medical Battalion in Chicago, first worked with Tate-Nadeau at the Regional Training Institute in Springfield, Illinois, when Tate-Nadeau was the officer in charge from 2002 to 2003. Soon after, Dixon followed Tate-Nadeau to Macomb, Illinois, to help re-establish the previously deactivated 44th Chemical Battalion.

Dixon said she is still committed to Tate-Nadeau and her leadership.

"I would go anywhere she asked right now, almost without question," Dixon said. "I still feel that devotion. I would love to be on her team again."

Dixon adjusted her personal and professional schedules to attend the ceremony.

"It's not often we have the opportunity to witness an event like this and I really believe no one deserves this opportunity more than Colonel Tate-Nadeau," she said. "I was fortunate to work with her for years, and I wanted to be there to show my support."

Maj. Eric Davis of Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, with 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Chicago, worked with Tate-Nadeau from 2008 to 2009 when she was the Illinois Army National Guard's Director of Plans, Operations and Training.

He admitted she often pushed him to his limits, but said he never felt she set him up for failure. He also said the last thing he ever wanted to do was disappoint her.

"She's one of those people you don't want to let down because she's a good leader who will always have your back," Davis said. "You always knew where you stood...she chewed you when you needed it and gave you praise when you deserved it. I always felt she had my back."

Throughout her career, Tate-Nadeau held multiple positions, including various command and director-level positions such as Chief of the Joint Staff; Director of Plans, Operations and Training; 404th Chemical Brigade Deputy Commander; 44th Chemical Battalion Commander and 5th Civil Support Team Commander. She also deployed to Iraq with Multi-National Division (Central South) as the Chief of Operations, Plans and Public Information.

In her current assignment as the Illinois Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, the Adjutant General placed her in charge of domestic operations, overseeing Illinois National Guard homeland security response and programs such as the State Partnership Program with Poland. Prior to this position, she served a three-year tour as the National Guard Bureau Liaison Officer to the Israeli Home Front Command, in Ramla, Israel. In December 2014, Tate-Nadeau retired from the AGR program and transitioned back to a traditional Guardsman when she accepted a civilian position as the Region V Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Management Assistance Team Leader in Chicago.

Out of all her positions in the Illinois National Guard, Tate-Nadeau admitted one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, positions was one she originally did not want. In September 2003, she was ready to work in operations while Thomas, then the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, appointed her as the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Officer (PAO).

"I literally cried in a corner when I got it," she said. "It was the hardest job I've had...in the beginning of the war when we were taking so many casualties. However, it gave me an opportunity to tell the Soldiers' story and to give honor to the men and women who have died. The people I've served have stayed with me forever."

Her dream job in operations as the Illinois Army National Guard's Director of Plans, Operations and Training came in 2007, immediately following her PAO assignment.

With more than 30 years of military service and now a new full-time career, Tate-Nadeau said her greatest accomplishment is not her career. It is her children.

"The men and women I've served have been amazing, but the two people who have taken the brunt every time duty calls are those two kids," she said. "They're my biggest supporters and I could not have done it without them."

Along with her family, Tate-Nadeau said she is blessed with a group of friends who have helped her and her family throughout her career. She said her Delavan neighbors never hesitated to pick up Lindsey, now 24, and Gavin, now 18, from school or help with significant life events while she was deployed or travelling.

"It's kind of hard to do a military career without a whole team behind you helping you," she said. "I thank all those people in my life who allowed me to have my military career."

Throughout her career, Tate-Nadeau said it was never about being the best and brightest, but rather surrounding herself with the best and brightest. She also said it was never about ultimately wearing a star on her chest. It was about being her true self for her Soldiers.

"There is no cookie cutter way to leadership," she said. "You can only be who you are in your heart, because Soldiers know that."

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/06/2015)(readMedia)-- Col. Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau of Chicago, formerly of Delavan, Illinois, will be promoted to brigadier general. Tate-Nadeau will be the first female in the Illinois National Guard to earn the rank. She serves as the Illinois Army National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General in Springfield, Illinois.

WHO: Col. Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau of Chicago, formerly of Delavan, Illinois.

WHAT: Tate-Nadeau will be promoted to brigadier general. Tate-Nadeau will be the first female in the Illinois National Guard to earn the rank. She serves as the Illinois Army National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General in Springfield, Illinois.

WHEN: Saturday March 07, 2015 at 02:00PM Central Time (US & Canada)

WHERE:Camp Lincoln's Illinois Military Academy
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, Illinois 62702

March 8 ceremony recognizes Soldiers with 1965th Contingency Contracting Team and Bilateral Embedded Staff Team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Two teams of Soldiers will be recognized March 8 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Approximately 20 Soldiers will be recognized at 2 p.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Illinois.

1965th Contingency Contracting Team

Four Soldiers with the 1965th Contingency Contracting Team (CCT) mobilized in March 2014 and deployed to Afghanistan, returning home in November 2014. Two Springfield Soldiers on the team will be part of the ceremony. The other two had follow-on missions after the deployment.

The 1965th CCT is a group of highly-skilled contracting officers and contract specialists who executed and administered government funds through contracts to obtain goods, services and construction from commercial sources to support contingency operations.

Capt. David Picchi of Springfield, Illinois was part of the team and recognized as a top performer for Central Command Joint Theater Support Contracting Command. The region includes Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar. Sgt. Ronald Witt Jr. of Springfield, Illinois will join Picchi at the ceremony.

Picchi said the team provided contracted mission support through the procurement of critical life support services such as water, trash, sanitation, dining facility operations, security and deconstruction services.

The 1965th executed and facilitated the logistics drawdown mission of the regional commands within Afghanistan. The team facilitated the downsizing of dozens of bases, as well as the closing of major theater airfields within the region.

All members of the team will be awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as well, as the NATO service ribbon. Sgt 1st Class Marc Graves of Springfield, Illinois was also recognized as a top performer for Central Command Joint Theater Support Contracting Command. Maj. Milton Ware Jr. of Chicago and Graves were part of the team, but unable to be part of the ceremony because of additional missions following the 1965th deployment.

Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A13

Approximately 20 Soldiers with the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A13 trained with the Polish Land Forces before mobilizing in April 2014. The Soldiers returned to their families Dec. 19, 2014.

The unique mission allowed Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

While deployed to Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan, the Soldiers facilitated operations with Task Force White Eagle, which is primarily composed of the Polish 10th Logistics Brigade. BEST Soldiers were embedded with the Polish brigade to synchronize task force operations.

BEST A13 had many accomplishments while in Afghanistan, including the recovery and turn-in of $3.5 million of unaccounted U.S. property, which would have been a loss to the government. The team also expanded the capability and functionality of the Polish military, a NATO partner. The Illinois National Guard has been a state partner with Poland since 1993, including side-by-side deployments with Polish Forces the past 20 years.

Freedom Salute Campaign

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered

commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and should notify the Public Affairs Office by 3 p.m., March 6 to be granted access onto Camp Lincoln. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Soldiers from all over the state converged on Camp Lincoln Feb. 22 for the annual Adjutant General's Combatives Tournament hosted by the Illinois Army National Guard's Modern Army Combatives Team.

The two-day tournament had bouts in eight weight divisions from 105 pounds to more than 205 pounds. Preliminary rounds use the Modern Army Combative Program standard rules where competitors start in a standing position and work to take down and submit their opponent. The finals follow the MACP intermediate rules where the goal is the same, but allow competitors to use openhanded strikes to the face, closed hand strikes to the body, kicks, and knees to the lower extremities.

"The prelim rounds are double elimination, six minute bouts in each class and we use the standard competition rules," Master Sgt. James Frick of Herrin, Illinois, Headquarters, operations non-commissioned officer with the 129th Regional Training Institute and combatives team member said. "Then, when we get to the finals, they get to have a little more fun. They follow the intermediate rules where they can strike and they fight a single elimination, 10 minute bout."

Three teams brought more 50 competitors to the tournament. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each weight division and the tournament trophy was given to the top finishing team.

Tournament Results:

Team Results:

1. 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry - 329 points

2. 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade - 230 points

3. 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry - 125 points

Individual Results:

110 lb. Weight Division

1. Spc. Alma Ruff, Osewgo, Illinois, 135th Chemical Company

125 lb. Weight Class

1. Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Denning, Rock Falls, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

2. Pvt. 1st Class Eliah Wence, Lakemoor, Illinois, 135th Chemical Company

3. Spc. Kamisha Bell, Carterville, Illinois, Co. E, 634th Brigade Services Battalion

140 lb. Weight Division

1. Spc. Gabriel Gloria, Sterling, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

2. Spc. Brock Scoggins, Carterville, Illinois, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry

3. Sgt. Ricardo Brambila, Berwyn, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

155 lb. Weight Division

1. Spc. Seth Pilkington, Carthage, Illinois, 233rd Military Police Company

2. Cdt. Samuel Russ, Round Lake, Illinois, 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Signal

3. Sgt. 1st. Class Arkan Chehade, Wayne, Illinois, 108th Multifunctional Medical Battalion

170 lb. Weight Division

1. 2nd Lt. Ross Cooper, Gillespie, Illinois, 3637th Maintenance Company

2. Spc. Roberto Leal, Streamwood, Illinois, 1244th Transportation Company

3. Spc. Jose Roman, Dekalb, Illinois, Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery

185 lb. Weight Division

1. Staff Sgt. Bryan Helfrich, Dixon, Illinois, 333rd Military Police Company

2. Pvt. 1st Class Andino Medina, LaGrange Park, Illinois, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

3. Pvt. 1st Class Ivan Gonzalez, Berwyn, Illinois, Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery

205 lb. Weight Division

1. Sgt. Logan Weir, Monmouth, Illinois, Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 44th Chemical Battalion

2. Spc. Brock Tedrick, Dixon, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

3. Sgt. Zechariah Johnson, Mount Morris, Illinois, Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

Heavyweight Division (over 205 lb.)

1. Pvt. Carlos Brown, Peoria, Illinois, Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

2. Spc. Steven McMahon, Streamwood, Illinois, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry

3. Sgt. Michael Rynearson, Lewiston, Illinois, 444th Combat Support Chemical Company

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/25/2015)(readMedia)-- MACOMB, Ill. - In the mid-morning hours a freight train carrying chemical agents passes through the sleepy college town of Macomb, Illinois. Without warning, near a railhead, the train derails sending three tanker cars full of potentially harmful sodium cyanide crashing to the earth. This scenario is the backdrop for Western Response 2015, a multi-agency exercise in Macomb, Illinois.

These are the situations the Illinois National Guard's 5th Civil Support Team (CST) trains for. The CST is a specified domestic operations unit comprised of highly trained Soldiers and Airmen that integrates with local authorities to respond to chemical, nuclear, biological, and radiological threats.

The goal for this exercise was to allow local first responders and authorities to establish an operations center and integrate state-level resources into response operations. Though Western Response was a smaller scale exercise involving the Macomb and Galesburg police and fire departments as well as the 5th CST, it was still valuable training.

Maj. Travis Humphrey of Washington, Illinois, 5th CST deputy commander, said he enjoyed the opportunity to work at the smaller scale.

"Typically, we exercise at a much larger level. It's planned and executed at the national level and when we get on scene, we speak to someone who's not usually a local," said Humphrey. "I like this because you get the National Incident Management System experience and you get to talk to the local guys who know the area and give good input on staging and integration."

Normally, local hazardous materials teams would respond to and contain an incident of this scale. The exercise had local first responders containing the incident and the 5th CST conducting decontamination operations.

Sgt. Andrea Boggs, of Springfield, Illinois, 5th CST human resources non-commissioned officer and decontamination team member, said she saw benefit in the exercise as well.

"This is a great exercise to get used to integrating and working with civilian agencies," said Boggs. "It allows us to train with local agencies and it allows them to see what's available to them in a real-world incident."

Maj. Marc Wright, of Peoria, Illinois, 5th CST commander, echoed the comments of his team members.

"Given the scale, it was a great opportunity for training and awareness for the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and local departments," he said. "While local HAZMAT is fully capable of handling an incident of this magnitude, it's always good for them to get an idea of the state-level assets that are available to them in an incident."

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/25/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -The Illinois National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute (RTI) held a change of responsibility ceremony and a change of command ceremony for its Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) Feb. 21, at the Illinois Military Academy at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

The RTI's mission is to train soldiers and leaders at all levels in multiple specialties, such as drivers, cooks and signal specialists.

A change of responsibility ceremony is held when the senior enlisted leader of a unit changes. A change of command ceremony is held when the commanding officer of a unit changes.

The change of responsibility was conducted first, with Command Sgt. Maj. Lester Edwards of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, relinquishing responsibility of the 129th RTI to Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns of Benld, Illinois.

The 129th RTI HHD change of command ceremony immediately followed with Capt. Dayton Loyd of Carbondale, Illinois, relinquishing command to 1st Lt. Anthony McClain of Springfield, Illinois.

Loyd, will move on to join the 244th Digital Liaison Detachment in Chicago, said the RTI was one of the most special units he served with in his 30 years of service.

"At first, I wasn't sure if I was up to the task - the RTI is a unique unit with a lot of high ranking individuals - but everyone embraced me right away and took care of me," said Loyd. "It really speaks to the quality of the unit."

Before taking command of the HHD, McClain served as the full-time plans and operations officer for domestics operations for the Illinois National Guard. He will serve as both the HHD commander and full-time training officer for the RTI.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity and I'm looking forward to fulfilling both of my roles for this stellar organization," said McClain.

Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, commander of the 129th RTI, said the HHD is a great unit to command.

"Captain Loyd is getting promoted on his way out and Lieutenant McClain is a good lieutenant," said Fanning. "It's a lot of work, but this is a good unit and it will provide good seasoning for him."

Approximately one dozen Soldiers mobilize Feb. 17 as part of Operation Resolute Support

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/12/2015)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately one dozen Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan. The ceremony for the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion based in Springfield, Illinois will be Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Ill.

The unit will train for a brief time in Fort Hood, Texas before deploying to Afghanistan for approximately nine months as part of Operation Resolute Support.

The battalion will assist in planning, supervising and executing logistics within Afghanistan and assisting with the drawdown of U.S. Forces and equipment.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

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