Seven Airmen recognized for achievements

PEORIA, IL (02/26/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria recognized seven outstanding Airmen for their achievements in 2012.

Awards were given based on performance, mission accomplishment, team building and leadership. Criteria included actions, initiatives and results that showed exceptional leadership and duty performance. Consideration was given for job effectiveness, job knowledge and support to deploying or deployed operations. Additionally, consideration was given for awards and recognition, significant individual accomplishments, unique job achievements, processed or implemented suggestions, and innovative problem solving.

Winners included:

• Senior Airman Alex Corwin of Metamora, 182nd Maintenance Squadron, Outstanding Airman of the Year for the Illinois National Guard

• Airman 1st Class Ryan Porter of Glasford, 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman of the Year

• Staff Sgt. Tyler Relph of Morton, 182nd Civil Engineering Squadron Noncommissioned Officer of the Year

• Senior Airman Robert Shall of Morris, 182nd Communications Flight Airman of the Year

• Senior Airman Jared Weller of Rockford, 169th Airlift Squadron Airman of the Year

• Senior Airman Gwendolyn Merz of Dunlap, 264th Combat Communications Airman of the Year

• Airman 1st Class Justin Miller of El Paso, 182nd Civil Engineering Squadron Airman of the Year

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/25/2013)(readMedia)-- Illinois has a special connection to the Black History Month celebration. After all, the Great Emancipator, President Abraham Lincoln, served in the Illinois Militia and began his political career in Illinois. With the support of like-minded people, he challenged public opinion and sparked a civil rights revolution still felt today. African-American Soldiers in Illinois played important roles in most major conflicts since the Civil War.

"African-Americans have overcome many obstacles within the military," said Adriana Schroeder, the Illinois National Guard's command historian. "The first obstacle was actually being able to pick up arms and fight. The second was to have black leadership within their all black units. The third struggle was integration into the military to where African-Americans fought alongside white Soldiers."

The 29th U.S. Colored Infantry was formed during the Civil War to guard wagons and train depots, said Schroeder. They fought in one of the final battles of the Civil War, in the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Va.

In World War I the African American 8th Infantry was re-designated the 370th Infantry and fought under the French. It was the only unit entirely commanded by black officers. The 8th Infantry continued its proud history during World War II, reorganized into the 2-184th Field Artillery, by being a vital part of capturing the Rhine River town of Wesel.

The lineage of the 8th Infantry lives today with the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

"I have to applaud the efforts of so many because although we have a unique and rich history we didn't get there by ourselves," said Command Sgt. Maj. Howard O. Robinson, of Olympia Fields, the Illinois National Guard's senior enlisted adviser. "I think about the Great Emancipator and others who fought for equality. We have made significant progress, but if it wasn't for those civil rights leaders and many brave whites who believed in the cause, equality in the military wouldn't be where it is today."

Robinson witnessed, firsthand, the progress black Soldiers have made over the years. His father served in the all-black 761st Tank Battalion in Patton's 3rd Army as a tank sergeant. His uncle served as a noncommissioned officer in the Korean War and another uncle served in Vietnam, later becoming a brigadier general.

Robinson, an African-American, who split his youth between inner-city Chicago with his parents and rural Hunnewell, Mo., with his grandparents and two aunts, is a living example of the achievements our country celebrates in February.

"I have seen improvements in equality," said Robinson. "We are a diverse organization and there are opportunities out there. We want to make sure everyone has a fair stake in our organization."

Robinson said equality within the military, and even his own success, would not have been possible if it were not for white Soldiers believing in their black counterparts and opening the necessary doors.

Robinson joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1983 and worked his way up the ranks. As he did, he saw things that needed improvement and worked to resolve those issues.

"I felt like instead of complaining about it, I needed to position myself to really do something about it," said Robinson. "That was the turning point in me becoming a part of the solution."

Robinson now looks to assist younger Soldiers in accomplishing their goals much like key individuals throughout his career helped him. Although the Illinois National Guard celebrates Black History Month, every person who puts on the uniform is equally valued.

"Today, every Soldier bleeds red, white and blue for America no matter the color of their skin," said Schroeder.

Washington, D.C. - This week, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2) and Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) announce their co-chairmanship of the House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant, and Industrial Facilities Caucus for the 113th Congress.  This bipartisan group of House members will be dedicated to policy issues that affect military industrial facilities, including aviation depots, arsenals, ammunition plants, shipyards, and energetic material production facilities. The caucus will also educate other members of Congress on matters of importance to the military depot and industrial facility community, as well as advocate for necessary changes in policy.

Congressman Loebsack represents Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. Rock Island Arsenal is home to the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, the Department of Defense's only multi-purpose and vertically integrated metal manufacturer.  The Arsenal is also home to critical logistics, contracting, and mobilization commands, including Army Sustainment Command, Joint Munitions Command, Army Contracting Command-Rock Island, and First Army.  The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant produces and delivers component assembly and medium and large caliber ammunition to US Joint Forces.

"I'm proud to co-chair the House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant, and Industrial Facilities Caucus with my friend, Congressman Jones (NC-03).  I strongly believe that arsenals such as Rock Island Arsenal, ammunition plants like the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, depots, and other organic industrial facilities are essential to our national security.  As a military parent, I'm thankful for the workforce at our organic industrial facilities that work every day to put equipment in the hands of our troops.  I look forward to continuing to partner with Congressman Jones and the Caucus membership to strongly advocate for our organic industrial facilities," said Loebsack.

Congressman Jones represents Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC East), a military depot service provider located at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station specializing in support of Marine aircraft, engines and components.  FRC East is the only source of repair within the continental United States for many jet engines and rotary wing engines, as well as turbofan vectored thrust engines.

"As a longtime member and co-chair of the House Military Depot and Industrial Facilities Caucus, I have worked hard to ensure that the industrial capacity of our military depots to regenerate equipment is at a maximum.  Military depots and other industrial facilities, like Fleet Reserve Center East, play a vital role in the health of our Armed Services and allow our fighting forces to continue their mission without delay.  I look forward to working with Congressman Loebsack (IA-02) to create a stronger, more resilient system," said Jones.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today questioned the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Deputy Secretary of Defense at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the impacts of sequestration on our military.  Loebsack continued to express his opposition to letting the automatic, across the board spending cuts contained in sequestration take effect. He has concerns about the affects of sequestration on national security, including the operations at the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plants.  He questioned General Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, about the impact of these arbitrary cuts on the Army's arsenals and depots.

"I was opposed to these arbitrary, across the board cuts, known as sequestration, since they were first proposed last year.  They do not make sense for our budget and they certainly do not make sense for our nation's defenses.  I strongly believe we must reduce the unsustainable deficit, but this is not the way to do it. I am greatly concerned about the long-term effects of sequestration on our readiness and the workforce at our nation's arsenals and depots, including the Rock Island Arsenal and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.  The organic industrial base and its workforce are critical to our readiness and ability to respond to a national security contingency.  As a military parent, we have to ensure our troops serving overseas have the best equipment available to them.  We cannot allow these cuts to take place," said Loebsack.

Video of the discussion can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjrGfhTGBeg