Illinois National Guard Soldiers Coming Home from Afghanistan

Back to HomePage
Updated: 5:57 PM Aug 31, 2009 Illinois National Guard Soldiers Coming Home from Afghanistan Ceremonies set for Sept. 2 in Dixon, Kewanee, Aurora, Pontiac, Springfield, and Mount Vernon Posted: 5:57 PM Aug 31, 2009

SPRINGFIELD - Approximately 100 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) are scheduled to return to Illinois from a one-year mobilization in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“I want to salute the men and women returning for their brave, selfless service to our country,” said Governor Pat Quinn. “They are our true patriots and I welcome them back home to Illinois.”

Soldiers from Troop A, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry in Pontiac; Troop B, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry in Dixon; Troop C, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry in Aurora; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry in Kewanee; Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, and Soldiers from different units with 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry were mobilized in August 2008.

Some of the Soldiers formed Police Mentor Teams (PMTs) that trained and mentored the Afghan National Police. The PMTs also conducted patrols and security missions alongside the Afghan National Police. Other groups formed Embedded Training Teams which trained and mentored the Afghan National Army.

During their time in Afghanistan, four Soldiers from the Cavalry units were killed in action. Sgt. Schuyler Patch of Galva, a member of the Kewanee unit, was killed Feb. 24 after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near his vehicle. Sgt. Paul Smith of East Peoria, a member of the Aurora unit, was killed June 19 after his vehicle was hit by an IED. 1st Lt. Derwin Williams of Glenwood and Spc. Chester Hosford of Ottawa, both members of the Dixon unit, were killed on July 6 when their vehicle was struck by an IED. Since the 33rd IBCT deployed in 2008, 18 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers from the brigade have been killed and more than 30 Soldiers have been seriously wounded.

“The Illinois National Guard is proud of these Soldiers and the state of Illinois should be proud of these men and women as well,” said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General for the Illinois National Guard. “These Soldiers left their friends, families, and jobs for a year to defend our flag and deserve to be recognized as heroes.”

These Soldiers are part of the largest overseas deployment of the Illinois National Guard since World War II. The deployment includes approximately 30 units from throughout the state. The remaining units of the brigade will return later this summer.

"Working side-by-side with their Afghan counterparts in the army and police, the members of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix have provided invaluable training and mentoring of Afghan security forces at this critical time in Afghanistan's history,” Brig. Gen. Steven Huber, Commander for Task Force Phoenix. “Their performance under challenging, and often dangerous, conditions has contributed immeasurably to increasing the capacity and capability of Afghan National Security Forces. The people of Illinois can be extremely proud of these great Illinois citizen-Soldiers and the important work they have done this past year to help the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its effort to build professional, capable security forces to protect its citizenry from both internal and neighboring threats."

Ceremonies have been planned for each of the units. These times are subject to change.

New Page 1

National Guard Unit	Location of Unit	Location of ceremony	Time	Soldiers
Troop B, 2nd Battalion	106th Cavalry Dixon Dixon Armory	412 W. Everett	5 p.m.	28