Freedom Salute Planned Aug. 18 for Specialized Group Who Helped Improve Afghan Farming

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Approximately 60 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized Aug. 18 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for 1st Team of the 14th Agribusiness Development Team (1-14th ADT) will be at 2 p.m.at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 South Sixth Street in Springfield.

"With Illinois producing more than $9 billion in agricultural commodities each year, there are no people in the world that know the business of agricultural like our Illinois farmers," said Gov. Pat Quinn. "I'm proud that this group of Illinois farmers donned their military uniforms and put their civilian skills to use in our nation's defense. The knowledge they passed on to Afghans will help a fledgling democracy secure a viable and peaceful future for its citizens and will help cap the discord that leads to disillusionment and terrorism."

Mobilized in April 2011, the ADT deployed for one year to conduct agricultural support operations in Afghanistan that revitalized and established a strong, growing and sustainable agricultural industry. The team provided basic agricultural needs and services working alongside the Afghan government agriculture agencies. They also taught and trained Afghan Extension Agents and farmers.

"When the Illinois National Guard sends men and women to war, we are sending the most motivated and the best trained and best equipped troops in the world," said Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti, the Acting Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "This was certainly true of the 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team, where both their military and civilian skills were put to the test."

The team improved irrigation to more than 4,100 hectares of farmland. They also developed a functional Agricultural Extension Agent Program and hosted 34 training events. The ADT modernized Afghan farming techniques.

The ADT conducted 240 convoys, facilitated 5,145 farmer training days, trained 2,960 famers through Agriculture Extension Agents and assisted with forestry projects resulting in more than 60,000 seedlings being planted.

The ADT received the Meritorious Unit Citation and Valorous Unit citation. Thirteen Soldiers received a Bronze Star Medal, one Soldier received a Purple Heart Medal, 45 Soldiers were recognized with Army Commendation Medals and 58 Soldiers qualified for the Combat Action Badge.

The Soldiers are from all parts of Illinois. Many of them were specifically chosen for the mission based on their education and civilian background in agriculture.

Agriculture in Afghanistan accounts for 31 percent of the Afghan Gross Domestic Product and employs 78 percent of the over 30 million people in the country. National Guard ADTs work to improve the function of Afghan governmental agencies that are needed to sustain a viable agriculture sector and to educate and train Afghan farmers in modern agricultural methods and techniques. The changes will improve the quality of life and provide economic stability in the region.

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 ceremony should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Media attending the event are asked to contact the Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569 by 3 p.m. on Aug. 15. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

EAST ST.LOUIS, IL (08/09/2012)(readMedia)-- Ask a Soldier with the 1344th Transportation Company in East St. Louis if he/she has deployed and the answer will likely be "yes." Some may even say they have been deployed two or three times in their career. However, in the nearly 11 years since the military has deployed servicemembers in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, the 1344th has never been mobilized for an overseas mission.

"I have been with this unit for 19 years," said 1st Sgt. Cory L. Harbison of Mulkeytown. "Our flag has never flown overseas...but we still have a motivated group."

While the 1344th has never deployed, most of the Soldiers in the unit have been mobilized. In fact, Soldiers in the 1344th have supported more than 20 Illinois Army National Guard units that have mobilized since Sept. 11, 2001.

Many of the Soldiers are mentally prepared for a long-term deployment. Many are excited about the experience a deployment would bring the unit and for the opportunity to lead other Soldiers.

Capt. Matthew P. Wood of Springfield, 1344th company commander, said a majority of the Soldiers have been negatively impacted by the tough economic area of East St. Louis and are either working part-time or unemployed.

The Soldiers of the 1344th remain committed to being prepared for whatever comes their way.

"We are flexible to do whatever it takes," said Harbison. "We can meet any mission. We have no problems accomplishing any mission given in the past so I have no reason to believe we wouldn't continue that same success."

Some upcoming missions include homeland defense operations.

"We have our homeland security mission so we are always working on preparing ourselves," said Wood. "If the opportunity for a deployment arises we are going to be ready and we are going to be chomping at the bit, but that's a decision for echelons above me."

Regardless of the 1344th's future operations, there is one thing these Soldiers will always be committed to.

"We're just going to continue to drive like hell," said Wood.

Wood's goal, which happens to be the company motto, is something they are determined to succeed at regardless of where or what its mission is.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Illinois Army National Guard Chaplain Capt. Paul Weberg of Aurora is providing religious support during Operation Southern Accord 2012, a joint exercise between the United States and the Republic of Botswana.

"I have become more assertive in my ministry," said Weberg. "I'm usually one to sit back and let people come to me, but in this military setting you can't do that. You have to be more missionary."

Weberg is the chaplain for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade based in Chicago and has served four tours in Iraq.

"He is able to come across very well received. Humbly, yet with a certain confidence," said Sgt. Vincent Guzman, of Chicago, the 404th MEB chaplain's assistant.

Weberg admits Soldiers typically only think of chaplains being around on Sundays for church services, but he is making it a point to ensure Soldiers know chaplains are available for any faith at any time.

"We're much more than that. We're chaplains seven days a week, 24 hours a day," said Weberg.

More than 1,200 military personnel from The Republic of Botswana and the United States are participating in Southern Accord 2012. The exercise aims to enhance the interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and Botswanan Defense Forces and increase stability and security across the African continent.

WEDRYZN, POLAND (03/02/2012)(readMedia)-- By 1st Lt. Matthew Morris and 1st Lt. Nico Smith, Illinois Army National Guard BEST A9

The weather was frigid but not unfamiliar to the Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) A9 who arrived in Poland Feb. 3. The BEST A9 arrived in Wedryzn, Poland where they are assisting the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade certify its two battalion task forces prior to their deployment to Afghanistan this month.

"I'm very impressed with the trust placed in their lower enlisted to do the right thing and the mentality they have while they conduct training," said Sgt. 1st Class William Ingles of Steeleville, with BEST A9. "Their attitude is not 'why are we training' but 'when.' The design is very practical and a lot of fun to watch."

The primary focus of the Illinois National Guard Soldiers' training the past few weeks was to learn the customs and leadership style of their Polish counterparts.

This deployment is part of the State Partnership Program (SPP), which was created in 1993 to assist the Polish government and military transition into NATO after the fall of the Soviet Union. Co-deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with Polish Forces began in 2003 where the partnership evolved from an advisory role to an enabler of warfighting capacities.

The work schedule also allows time for the team to experience Polish culture and history. Illinois Soldiers have travelled to Ostwald, an area once occupied by Germany, to visit one part of an enormous structure of bunkers that spans from the Baltic Sea heading south underground for 400 kilometers. They also travelled to Sulecin, a small town a couple kilometers away from the training base.

With few English speaking natives, the team relies heavily on Sgt. Arthur Boruch of Orland Park, the only fluent Polish speaker on the team.

"It's been an interesting and challenging experience communicating the needs of 17 people," he said. "It can get exhausting but overall it's been great showing the guys the Polish culture I've known from growing up in a Polish speaking household."

The recent training between Illinois and Polish Soldiers was marked by a gesture of unity Feb. 17 when Brig. Gen. Bogdan Tworkowski, Commander of the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade, placed the unit's shoulder patch on each member of the BEST team while Col. Troy Phillips of Philo, BEST A9 commander, presented the Illinois colors to fly alongside the Polish National Flag.

"We are one team, one unit, and we are very glad to have the BEST team on board. I am sure that our efforts together will result in success," Tworkowski said.