Gov Quinn Activates National Guard as Blizzard Hits Across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – February 1, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today activated more than 500 Illinois National Guard troops to assist stranded motorists on several interstate highways as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to prepare for a large winter storm approaching the state. The troops will be stationed at rest areas along interstate highways, including Interstate 70 and those north of I-70, and will coordinate with Illinois State Police (ISP) to ensure the safety of travelers stranded along the roads.

“We must do everything we can to keep motorists safe during this massive winter storm. Illinois Department of Transportation crews are working non-stop to clear roadways, and the Illinois State Police will also be closely monitoring our highways,” said Governor Quinn. “These troops from the Illinois National Guard will help ensure public safety along the roadways, and I urge everyone to exercise caution when traveling.”

Illinois National Guard troops deployed for this mission are from the following units:

· The 2/106th Cavalry Squadron based in Kewanee, with subordinate units from Galva, Dixon and Pontiac, which are being deployed to the northern part of the state.

· The 766th Engineer Company based in Decatur, the 1844th Transportation Company based in Quincy and the 3637th Maintenance Company based in Springfield, which are being deployed to the central part of the state.

· The 634th Brigade Support Battalion based in Sullivan and the 233rd Military Police Company based in Springfield, which are being deployed to the southern part of the state.

In addition, an Illinois National Guard headquarters element is being drawn from the 65th Troop Command Brigade and 183rd Fighter Wing, both from Springfield.

Troops stationed along the highways will carry supplies such as water, snack bars and roadside safety tips to provide to stranded motorists. Guard members will also relay information regarding road conditions, vehicle accidents and stranded motorists to ISP officers working in the area.

”I’m proud that the Illinois National Guard is able to play our part in responding to this winter storm,” said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. ”Our Soldiers and Airmen respond to the Governor’s call to help in state emergencies just as we answer the President's call to serve overseas. It takes selfless citizens to serve in today’s National Guard, whether in Illinois or across the world.”

Governor Quinn activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield Monday afternoon to coordinate the state’s response to the storm. The center will operate around the clock until the storm threat subsides.

Illinois travelers can check on highway conditions by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or visiting the IDOT’s road conditions website at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and clicking on “Winter Road Conditions.”

For more information about winter storm safety, visit the Ready Illinois Web site at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

IL Guard Members Make Pilgramage in Poland

Story by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie McCurry, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Photo Caption
Left: 1st Lt. Jermey Dugena, of Gilberts; Staff Sgt. Driscoll Augustine, of Staunton; 2nd Lt. Andrew Payne, of Edwardsville; Sgt. David Sworobowicz, of Springfield; 2nd Lt. Veronica Kool, of Springfield; Sgt. Ernesto Flores, of Chicago; Cpt. Cole Namken, of Decatur and Staff Sgt. Steven Martin, of Urbana; take a moment for a photo in downtown Warsaw before they begin their 137 mile walk. The eight Illinois National Guardsmen participated in the annual Polish pilgrimage walking from Warsaw to Czestochowa in 10 days

SPRINGFIELD – Imagine walking from Peoria to Aurora. In August, eight Illinois National Guard members did just that, except in a foreign country, Poland. Six Soldiers and two Airmen walked 137 miles, beginning in Warsaw and ending in Czestochowa, in 10 days for the annual Polish pilgrimage. The Illinois guardsmen walked with a group of approximately 300 people that included Polish, German and Slovakian Soldiers.

Every year thousands of Catholics from around the world go to Poland to participate in the ceremonial walk to Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa, the site of the revered Black Madonna icon. Their journey began with an early morning mass at the field cathedral of the Polish Army. Every day the group attended mass regardless of their various faiths and beliefs. During the 12-hour walk each day, they were treated with prayers, songs and sermons in German, Polish, Italian and English broadcasted through large speakers carried by participants. Local civilians provided pilgrimage participants with food, refreshments and encouragement along the route. Every night the Illinois guardsmen slept in tents provided by the Polish Armed Forces.

“I was told numerous times by Polish Soldiers that they got a kick out of the fact that the German Soldiers and American Soldiers were communicating to each other through their Polish translators,” said Sgt. David Sworobowicz, of Springfield, Illinois Army National Guard. Local farmers stood along the route and handed out their fruit and vegetables to everyone walking in the pilgrimage. The cities also worked together to offer soups and bread for lunch everyday. The other breaks they had throughout the day were at numerous churches.

“The civilians’ generosity along the way is unmatched,” said 2nd Lt. Veronica Kool, of Springfield, Illinois Army National Guard.

“All along the route, the Polish stood waiting outside their homes offering whatever food they had to give.”

“The religious experience gained from this exercise is above and beyond rewarding,” said Sworobowicz. “I can only hope to do it again sometime.”

The trip ended at Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa with the military pilgrimage walking the last half mile or so through thousands of supportive spectators that waved, shook their hands, gave hugs and took pictures of the group.

“It is not everyday that you get to travel overseas for a friendly noncombative operation,” said 1st Lt. Jeremy Dugena, of Gilberts, Illinois Army National Guard. “From the arrival in Poland, the Polish Army were incredible hosts making sure we had everything we needed.”

Illinois guardsmen participated in the pilgrimage to commemorate the 1655 Polish victory over Sweden and to build a stronger relationship with the Polish. The National Guard sponsored State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Illinois National Guard and Republic of Poland was established in 1993. The SPP links National Guard states and territories with their partner countries to foster mutual interests and establishing long-term relationships across all levels of society. Through the SPP, Illinois Army and Air National Guard service members have participated in annual, joint training exchanges with military forces of the Republic of Poland.

“Their professionalism and maturity are what I desire in every group of guardsmen who come to Poland,” said Maj. James Fisher, Bilateral Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Warsaw. “They promoted the State Partnership Program with flying colors and are model diplomats of our country.”

Illinois Guard Builds Trust One Villaage at a Time

From the Illinois Army & Air National Guard

ARLINGTON, Va. – As operations in Afghanistan ramp up, the Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team continue to excel in their mission of training and mentoring members of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, a senior Army official said Feb. 15.

Army Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica, commander of the Combined Security Transition Team in Afghanistan, said in a video teleconference with Illinois family members that the BCT’s successes are part of the overall strategy in Afghanistan.

“It’s not just about clearing and fighting,” said Formica. “It’s also about developing good governance, and it’s about development—social and economic development and the rule of law.”

The 33rd IBCT, which falls under the Combined Security Transition Team, deployed to Afghanistan in December and has several Embedded Training Teams that work directly with both Afghan army and police units.

For these teams, building social and economic frameworks starts with building trust.

“The most basic element of trust is established Soldier to Soldier, unit to unit,” said Formica.

“Our Army National Guard Soldiers live out in remote (forward operating bases). They’re living with these Soldiers and policemen; they’re fighting (alongside) them. They train with them and share hardships with them, and there is a tremendous amount of trust that is built up in both directions.”

That can lead to providing a capable security force, said Formica, who added that is one of the roads to a stable infrastructure.

But that trust is also built in other ways. “When the medics from the 33rd IBCT go out with their Afghan medical partners and establish a little clinic and see local villagers and treat cuts, colds and sore fingers, that goes a whole long way to build trust one village at a time,” he said.

Additionally, the Soldiers of the brigade bring something else that can help them with building trust. “They bring two professional characteristics to this fight,” said Formica. “First, they are well-trained Soldiers. But they also bring, as citizen-Soldiers, civilian occupational skills and experience.

“Many are in the medical field or law enforcement and work in various aspects of our society back home, and those skills are pretty relevant over here.”

The ultimate success of social and economic development is dependent upon local authorities’ willingness to take the lead, said Formica.

“We push for and have encouraged the Afghan national security forces to take the lead in operations, and we are precise and deliberate in the operations we do,” said Formica. “It’s imperative that we build a true partnership with the Ministry of Defense and the Afghan National Army and the Ministry of the Interior and the Afghan National Police.”

That willingness to take the lead has already been seen during a recent Taliban attack in Kabul when Afghan army and police responded.

“I’m not just saying this as the guy who is responsible for building the Afghan national security forces, but it was clear to us that the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police responded quickly and responded effectively,” said Formica. “This incident occurred, they responded and they responded on the local level. Only two of 10 suicide bombers actually detonated.”

After the initial attack, several firefights ensued. Formica said within a few hours security was restored to the area through the efforts of Afghan army and police units.

That is an example of the challenges faced by the unit. “Our challenge is to build sustainable capacity. It’s not just to provide equipment or to train but to establish systems . . . with the end state being (a stable sustainable society),” he said.

But that may take some time, especially when it comes to things like educational systems. “It’s going to take some time to develop those programs,” said Col. Scott Thoele, commander of the 33rd IBCT, who added that many programs may require a cultural shift in perspective, such as retooling schools to allow girls to attend.

But that is only a small part. “The ability to build roads, provide clean water and electricity to the people will go a long way to developing this country,” said Thoele.

Although it may take time, Thoele said he is confident of success. “It’s slow but steady progress, but we will be successful in our mission,” he said.

Illinois Army Guard Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

From the Office of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard

SPRINGFIELD – Staff Sgt. Jason Burkholder, 27, and 1st Lt. Jared Southworth, 26, Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Headquarters Headquarters Co., 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry of Marion, Ill., were killed in action Feb. 8 in Afghanistan.

A resident of Champaign, Ill., Burkholder, graduated from Elida High School in Ohio in 2000. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps January 2000. He completed his obligation to the Marine Corps January 2004 and enlisted into the Ohio National Guard December 2004. In April 2008, Burkholder transferred into the Illinois Army National Guard. This was Burkholder’s second deployment. His first deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom September 2006 to September 2007. He was married.

A resident of Oakland, Ill., Southworth was a member of the Oakland Police Department. He graduated from Oakland High School in Illinois in 2000 and then continued his education at Lakeland College earning an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies at Eastern Illinois University, Ill. in 2006. He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard October 2004 and was commissioned through Eastern Illinois University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program May 2006. He was married with four children.

“The deaths of 1st Lt. Southworth and Staff Sgt. Burkholder are a loss felt by all of us in the Illinois National Guard, both overseas and here at home,” said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "When we lose an Illinois National Guard Soldier, it's like losing a brother or sister. On behalf of the men and women of the Illinois National Guard, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Lt. Southworth and Staff Sgt. Burkholder. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."

Both Soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand, Afghanistan. One member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police and one local national civilian were also killed in the attack. One member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police was wounded. The incident is under investigation.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion of the 130th Infantry left Marion in late September and arrived in theater in December.

The unit deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) and is providing security for Embedded Training Teams, Police Mentor Teams and Forward Operating Bases.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion of the 130th Infantry is one of approximately 30 units of the 33rd IBCT and two units from the 404th Chemical Brigade that deployed to Afghanistan to form Task Force Phoenix VIII. They were joined in theater by various coalition partners and forces from other U.S. service components to form the remainder of the task force.

Southworth and Burkholder are the 20th and 21st casualties the Illinois National Guard has suffered since operations in Afghanistan and Iraq began. No information on funeral arrangements has been determined at this time.

Out of respect for the Southworth and Burkholder families, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569 for all media requests, after duty hours please call 217-725-2265.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Public Affairs office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil