05 Jun 2015

Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Unit Deploys to Cuba

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/04/2015)(readMedia)-- Approximately 20 Soldiers mobilize June 7 for mission to Guantanamo Bay

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who will deploy to Cuba later this month. The ceremony for the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) in Springfield, Illinois, will be June 7 at 11 a.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Illinois.

The Soldiers will train for a brief time at Fort Hood, Texas before deploying to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station for approximately nine months. The Soldiers are part of a team of military journalists who will inform the public about military events, training, accomplishments and issues, support media engagements and facilitate community outreach. The unit expects to be home by Spring 2016.

"This deployment is a unique one - there will be a lot of eyes on Guantanamo Bay this coming year," said Capt. Dustin W. Cammack of Chicago, detachment commander. "With the high-visibility military commissions, and now the easing of relations with Cuba - we will be right in the middle of it all. It's an exciting opportunity for my Soldiers and one in which I know they will excel."

The 139th will support media organizations reporting on operations at Task Force Guantanamo. Additionally, the unit will enhance internal communications by publishing a weekly magazine and contributing video and radio products to the Armed Forces Network for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines assigned to the joint task force. The unit last deployed from 2009-2010 to Balad, Iraq.

View Online: http://readme.readmedia.com/Illinois-National-Guard-Public-Affairs-Unit-Deploys-to-Cuba/11187631

26 May 2015

The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard to Retire

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Maj. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei served in National Guard for 38 years

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/23/2015)(readMedia)-- The Adjutant General of the Illinois, Maj. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, sent the following statement to the Soldiers and Airmen of the Illinois National Guard on Friday, May 22:

22 May 2014

Retirement Message of Major General Daniel M. Krumrei, The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard:

I am announcing my retirement as Illinois Adjutant General, effective 8 June 2015, with my official retirement from the National Guard scheduled to be July 4, 2015. Retirement Dinner date TBD.

It is my honor to serve alongside America's latest greatest generation. I chose this life of service as one of the first in America's 'All Volunteer Army'. I am a proud traditional member of the National Guard.  Our Illinois National Guard is filled with amazing citizen Soldiers and citizen Airmen. Our Families are phenomenal. You often work and train countless hours for no pay (especially our traditional members), often serve above your pay grade, serve anywhere and everywhere at a moment's notice, with Families who sacrifice so very much to support us; so that together we help our neighbors, protect our state, and defend our nation. I am proud to be associated with you.

It has been my privilege to serve with all of you in Illinois for almost a quarter century, as well as with Guardsmen in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin over the past 38 years.  My time in the Guard provided amazing opportunities, education, and experiences - each a blessing in its own way. None of it would have been possible without the help and support from my wife, family, employers, enlisted, warrants, officers, state employees, contractors, and volunteers. It takes an army to make a General, and I thank God for each person in my life.

It has been my intent over the past few years to begin the transition of the Illinois National Guard from an expeditionary force focused on war overseas, returning to a  community based Guard, while losing none of our professional military expertise. I said from day one that we could do both our State missions and our Federal missions equally and exceptionally well.

I have every confidence that the Illinois National Guard, led by outstanding men and women, will continue to provide the leadership to keep us effectively on track. The new Adjutant General will have my complete support, and I must admit I will not mind the moniker, "graybeard".

As Commander of the Illinois National Guard, I emphasized teamwork, transparency, openness to new ideas, personal initiative, diversity as strength, mentoring, and a very real fight against the predators hiding in our formations to commit heinous acts of sexual harassment and assault. I wanted us to "think bigger" while understanding how much our civilian leadership and Active component demands of our Soldiers, Airmen, and Families while we are at drill, annual training, schools, and deployed.

Most of you don't know this, but there are only 34 pictures in my office - a picture of each Illinois Guardsman who lost her or his life in combat. Seeing them every day, reminds me of their sacrifices - and yours. I chose in this transition to focus on the Soldier and Airman on the ground, the challenges in front of us, and the Families behind us. As to my degree of success, well, you are the judge.

I am a proud traditional Guardsman at heart, so my last days as TAG will be the June drill, in ACU, with you. GEN George C. Marshall was right, (and I'm certain he meant men and women - I know I do) when he said, "The Soldier's heart, the Soldier's spirit, The Soldier's soul are everything. Unless the Soldier's soul sustains him, he cannot be relied upon, and will fail himself, and his commander, and his country, in the end."

I pray continued success for you all, as you help your neighbors, protect this state, and defend this nation.

Thank you, one-and-all.

22 May 2015

Chicago-based Illinois National Guard Aviation Unit Mobilizes for Kuwait

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Approximately 25 Soldiers mobilize May 28 for medical evacuation mission

CHICAGO (05/22/2015)(readMedia)-- CHICAGO - A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 25 Soldiers who will deploy to Kuwait this summer. The ceremony for Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment in Chicago and Detachment 8, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment in Chicago will be May 28 at 11 a.m. at Chicago's Army Aviation Support Facility #2, 5400 W. 63rd St. in Chicago.

The Soldiers will train for a brief time at Fort Hood, Texas, before deploying to Kuwait.

Detachment 2 will provide aeromedical evacuation and support operations in the Central Command region of Kuwait. Detachment 8 will provide maintenance support to the aircraft.

The team is expected to be in Kuwait for approximately six months, returning to Illinois in early 2016.

21 May 2015

Haerr Today, Gone Tomorrow Illinois Army National Guard Colonel, Logistics Director, retires May 31

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office
SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/19/2015)(readMedia)-- Story by Capt. April Hawes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs SPRINGFIELD, Illinois. - From the beginning of Col. Michael Haerr's military career, his wife Amy has been by his side. Now, as he transitions into retirement, they are looking forward to one four-letter word: time. "We're looking forward to being together. She's been a steadfast supporter of my career," said Haerr, of Eureka, Illinois, who will retire from the Illinois Army National Guard May 31. "I sometimes joke the reason we're still together out of 33 years in the military is we've probably only been together for 23 years." The two met through 4-H in 1981. She just graduated high school and was showing sheep; he just started his senior year of high school and was showing pigs. Soon after in 1982, Haerr decided to enlist in the Army. "He sort of sprung it on me," Amy said. "But it all turned out good in the end." The two married in 1985, which was the same year Haerr commissioned through Illinois State University's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Since then he has served in all three components of the U.S. Army: Active Duty, Reserves and the National Guard. He has served with the Illinois Army National Guard since 1991, and became a full-time military technician in 1993. Their first daughter, Emily, now 27, was born while he was on Active Duty at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Just hours after she was born, Haerr got a call to report at 5 a.m. for a six-week long exercise. Soon after the Haerr family moved back to Illinois, Haerr transitioned to the Illinois Army National Guard and they welcomed their second daughter Katherine, now 24. "I had a great minister and battalion commander who I sought mentorship from," Haerr said. "They said 'if you don't put your family first, it's not going to be as good as it could be.'" Family was a common theme for Haerr in 2008 and 2009 when he was assigned as the rear deputy commander of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat team during its historic deployment to Afghanistan with nearly 3,000 Illinois Soldiers. He had just returned from his first Afghanistan deployment in 2007 and said he could personally relate to the 33rd's mission since he just went through it. "I felt a great passion to pass on the information to them," he said. "It also allowed me to communicate with families. I could explain to them Afghanistan truly is a world away; I could relate to them and speak first-hand to the experience." It was the largest single Illinois National Guard deployment since World War II. By the end, the 33rd suffered 18 casualties. "Having lost friends there and being in communication with folks waiting on their loved ones, I knew it was going to be a hard process," he said. "You never know the value of a Soldier until you see them through their parent's eyes. They're a natural treasure." Haerr deployed again to Afghanistan in 2011. He said it was a unique experience seeing the progress of the Afghanistan National Army and the evolution of U.S. Army leaders. For example, Haerr saw some battalion commanders during his first Afghanistan deployment who were brigade commanders during his second Afghanistan deployment. Since Haerr first enlisted in 1982, he has served in various positions including two company commands with 1st Battalion, 123rd Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment Battalion Commander and most recently the Illinois Army National Guard's G4, Logistics Management Officer. In addition to his more than 30 years of military service, he has been a full-time military technician for 25 years. Haerr has also attended a variety of military courses including Air Assault, Airborne and Ranger schools as well as the U.S. Army War College. In addition to his two deployments to Afghanistan, he also deployed to Germany from 2001 to 2002. "In all the years I worked with Colonel Haerr, I could always count on him as a mentor, peer and friend," said Col. Eric Little of Springfield, Illinois United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Illinois National Guard. "He has a wealth of institutional knowledge, especially in the world of logistics. His loyalty and dedication to the Illinois National Guard sets the example for future leaders of this organization. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement." Looking back on his career, Haerr said he accomplished all the goals he set as a young second lieutenant. When he graduated from ROTC he said he wanted to go to Ranger school and earn the rank of colonel. He also said he thought it would be "pretty cool" to earn a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). He successfully completed Ranger school in 1989, earned the rank of colonel in 2008 and has earned five MSMs. "I've enjoyed how the military challenges you because it trains you at the same time," he said. "It all makes you better than when you started. I joined the Army to serve my country, learn new skills and pay for college. In the process, I found in the Illinois Army National Guard the ability to do all of those things, serving my community, state, nation and world while balancing commitments to my wife and family." With retirement on the horizon, Haerr and Amy plan to spend time together while travelling to see their daughters, who both now live out of state. Haerr also admitted he plans to spend some more time in the kitchen. "I've been telling him for years, 'When you retire, you get to do all the cooking because I'm tired of it,'" Amy said with a laugh.
20 May 2015

Illinois National Guard Soldier supporting Jordanian Armed Forces Exercise

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office
SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs SRINGFIELD, Ill. - Approximately 25 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers are in Jordan participating in exercise Eager Lion 15 until May 20 at the Jordanian Armed Forces Joint Training Center in Amman, Jordan. Hosted by the Jordanian Armed Forces for the last five years, Eager Lion is a multinational training event supported by nearly 20 countries. The exercise has wide participation of servicemembers and civilians with military branches, ministries, security agencies, governmental and nongovernmental organizations from the collective nations all working together. The Illinois National Guard Soldiers are subject matter experts handpicked to assist in the training of a combined joint task force. The Guardsmen operate as part of a simulated higher command for the task force. "This is a great opportunity for the Illinois National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, the Land Forces Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. "The Illinois National Guard has participated in several major training exercises across the United States and the world. Eager Lion is a unique opportunity as it brings so many countries and organizations together including all branches of the U.S. military to work as one operating force." During the exercise servicemembers and civilians work together exchanging military expertise to improve operations, communications and relationships among partner nations. This simulates joint deployed environments where different countries and organizations work together in support of overseas operations. In recent years the Illinois National Guard has conducted combined and joint training exercises in Poland, Japan, Korea, Germany, Latvia and Botswana as well as hosted exercises in Illinois. Cutline 1: Approximately 25 Illinois National Guard Soldiers from units across the state traveled to Jordan to participate in Exercise Eager Lion 15 until May 20 at the Jordanian Armed Forces Joint Training Center in Jordan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho/released) Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Stanley Manes of Mount Pulaski, Illinois, the battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment and an operations officer with the Illinois National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters describes the mission of Exercise Eager Lion to members of the Jordanian Armed Forces' Military Staff College May 7 at the Jordanian Armed Forces Joint Training Center is Jordan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho/released)
18 May 2015

Specialized Illinois National Guard unit mobilizes for Afghanistan

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/16/2015)(readMedia)-- Five Soldiers with Illinois Joint Forces Headquarters' Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A15 were recognized during a mobilization ceremony May 15 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln 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 Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Illinois, the 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."

Lt. Col. Michael Beierman of Monee, Illinois, Commander for BEST A15, said the families of those deploying should be proud of their Soldiers and thanked them for their support.

"Illinois has a strong historical partnership with Poland, now we, and you are all a part of that great history," said Beierman. "Be proud that your Soldiers can claim a part of this history, be strong, and before you realize it, we'll be coming home."

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

18 May 2015

Illinois National Guard Recognized for Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) presented Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard (ILNG), Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle, Deputy of Manpower and Personnel for the ILNG, and Sergeant Maj. Diane Rogers, the Joint Force Headquarters Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the ILNG, the "Moxie" Award at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center on May 14 in Springfield, Illinois.

The Moxie award is presented to individuals who have done extraordinary work for survivors of sexual assault. This year's focus was on those who put "survivors first" to improve services, support and advocacy within our nation's institutions.

"It is not only rape crisis centers that are doing the work," said Polly Poskin, the executive director of the ICASA. "These are the first responders out there assisting victims and working to put a stop to sexual assault."

Poskin said the work of first responders, along with other sexual assault prevention advocates, sometimes goes unnoticed. The event today recognizes them for their efforts.

Krumrei said that when he became commander of the Illinois National Guard, he placed priority on identifying and reporting offenders.

"I told every readiness NCO, every senior leader, along with the senior enlisted advisor for the Army and Air National Guard that they are responsible for any perpetrator using and hiding behind the uniform," said Krumrei. "I made it very clear that those who choose to ignore an incident of sexual assault are just as responsible as the one committing the act and they will be disciplined as well."

Krumrei said the response to these statements has been very quick and positive throughout the ILNG.

"Though an environment of sexual assault may be 'just how it is out in the world', it will not be that way in this organization," said Krumrei. "We now have battalion commanders and platoon leaders stepping up and saying, 'this will not be the way it is in my battalion or my platoon.' We are getting there. We have more to work on, but we are better."

Krumrei said the Guard is very intentional about refusing to allow criminals to hide behind the military uniform of the United States to commit their crimes.

Poskin said that she has seen the determination by leaders in the ILNG to face sexual assault head on.

"Lieutenant Colonel Rochelle attended our 40-hour training course on sexual assault prevention and it made a difference," said Poskin. "His calm demeanor and dedication to speaking up on how we all have to take responsibility and stand up for those who need help shift the training by showing that there are a lot of allies out there."

Poskin said we need to continue to build on the mindset Rochelle showed in the course.

"We will continue to work hard in the Illinois National Guard to build upon on our relationship with ICASA and build upon our efforts to eliminate sexual assault from our ranks," said Rochelle.

There are 29 rape crisis centers throughout Illinois and these centers work closely with local organizations like the Illinois National Guard to improve upon efforts to prevent sexual assault.

"Having the National Guard take a stand against sexual assault is inspiring to others," said Poskin. "I have no doubt that their stance will continue to positively affect the efforts of others against sexual assault in this nation."

13 May 2015

Motorpool Mania: 2015 Military Museum Vehicle Show

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Check under the hood and kick the tires or tracks

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/11/2015)(readMedia)-- The Illinois State Military Museum and private collectors will display an array of U.S. and international military vehicles May 16, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., in Springfield, Illinois.

WHO:

• Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society

• Illinois State Military Museum

• Private vehicle collectors

WHAT:

• See an array of U.S. and international military vehicles from the iconic jeep to 21st Century equipment. Private collectors are invited to display vehicles. For more information visit: http://ilng-history.org/wp/upcoming-events/ismmmilitaryvehicleshow/

WHEN: Saturday May 16, 2015 at 09:00AM Central Time (US & Canada)

WHERE:Illinois State Military Museum
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, Illinois 62702

NOTES:

• Admission and parking are free.

• Free registration for private vehicle collectors. Visit http://ilng-history.org/wp/upcoming-events/ismmmilitaryvehicleshow/

For additional information, please contact the Illinois State Military Museum at 217-761-3910.

05 May 2015

Illinois National Guard ensures safety at NFL Draft with civilian partners

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

CHICAGO (05/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Thousands of people gathered at Grant Park in downtown Chicago for the 2015 National Football League Draft from April 30 to May 2. Behind the lights, the vendors, and the regalia of the draft, the Illinois National Guard's 5th Civil Support Team out of Bartonville, Illinois and their partners were on duty, silently protecting the masses from threats.

Working events like this is what the 5th CST does. They are a 22-person, full-time, team comprised of highly trained Soldiers and Airmen that specialize in all aspects of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives and weapons of mass destruction threats. The team is broken into six specialized teams that identify and respond to those threats; a command and control team, a science team, a medical team, a decontamination team, a survey team, and a communications team.

For this event, the CST brought personnel to conduct joint hazard assessment team, or JHAT, patrols. The JHAT teams are comprised of Illinois National Guardsmen an dcivilian partners.

Though the NFL Draft is a major event, it is not necessary for the full complement of the CST to deploy every time explained Capt. Christopher Young of Morton, Illinois, Medical Operations Officer for the 5th CST.

"Though it was a large event, when we're asked to do a JHAT mission, we typically just send the necessary pieces," said Young.

While the CST works with local and national government agencies regularly, for the majority of events, they are requested by the U.S. Department of Energy. Once on site, they provide their expertise and abilities to assist in threat detection and response.

"It's tremendous to have the CST augment us," said Christine Van Horn, Regional Response Coordinator for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) 5 of the U.S. Department of Energy. "The RAP community is relatively small; the CST really brings a lot to the table to help our operations."

Chicago Fire District Chief Josh Dennis praised the CST for their abilities.

"The CST brings a technical expertise that we can definitely use," said Dennis. "We work with much of the same equipment, but the CST does it on a daily basis and has a level of familiarity that is unmatched."

CST members train not only to augment with their interagency partners, but to be interchangeable with them, making them a much greater asset in an operation, said Dennis.

Staff Sgt. Maggie Cronin of Peoria Heights, Illinois, a Survey Team Member with the CST stressed the importance of interagency work.

"The good thing about the interagency work is that most of the equipment is the same, so anyone can operate virtually anything that we use," said Cronin
01 May 2015

Illinois National Guard hosts foreign military attachés

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/29/2015)(readMedia)-- CHICAGO - The Illinois National Guard hosted foreign military attachés from more than 30 different countries April 27.

Maj. Gen. William Cobetto of Hillsboro, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Illinois Air National Guard, said the group was particularly interested in how the Illinois National Guard works with civil authorities during domestic operations.

"They were all very intrigued by our command structure during emergency incident response where civilian authorities are in charge and the National Guard elements play a supporting role," said Cobetto. "I also got quite a few questions about recruiting and retention, and how we budget."

After a short presentation, the foreign military attachés toured the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago before visiting the Illinois National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility # 2 at Midway in Chicago.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Shamsuzzaman of the Bangladesh Army, said he learned something new every day of the tour, which included several days not hosted by the Illinois National Guard.

"In Bangladesh we have a force like the National Guard of the USA, but not so structured. We are trying to develop these forces so that the pressure on the active forces reduces," said Shamsuzzaman. "It's new learning for me, the way the National Guard supports the community in cases of national emergency."

Lt. Col. Daniel Rousselot with the Swiss Air Force said the military in Switzerland is very similar to the National Guard in that about 98 percent of the force is reserve.

"It's interesting to visit the different places and different units," said Rousselot. "It was interesting to see what the differences are between your armed forces and ours and go where we can learn something."

Cobetto said he was surprised the group asked questions about Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul, Illinois, a quasi-military second chance school for Illinois' troubled youth, but said he understood there are similar issues with some youth in their home countries, which explained their interest.

"The take away from this visit is that we've established or extended an endearing relationship with our military counterparts around the world," said Cobetto. "We've got a common bond and are working toward common goals and interests."

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