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The United States Army
08/07/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/07/2024 07:46
Illinois Guard Security Battalion Deploys Team to Africa
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[Link] Brig. Gen. Justin Osberg presented the Soldiers of Logistics Advisor Team 6620 with an Illinois State Flag to carry on the team's deployment to Africa. Pictured from left on Aug. 4, 2024, is State Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Barber, Logistics Advisor Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Fitch, Team Leader Maj. Walter Brown, Osberg, and State Command Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tom Black. (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL
OCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. - The Illinois Army National Guard's 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, will deploy Logistics Advisor Team 6620 and its seven Soldiers to Djibouti, Africa, for about six months after welcoming home Battalion Advisor Team 660 from Romania and Logistics Advisor Team 6622 from the Philippines.
A combined mobilization and welcome home ceremony for the three teams was held Aug. 4 at Heritage Hall on Rock Island Arsenal, where the battalion is based.
"The mission of the SFAB teams is invaluable to our allies and partner nations," said Col. Beth Roxworthy, the commander of the 34th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade.
Roxworthy said the teams are mobile, modular, and interoperable and they build the defensive capacity of our friends and allies in the world.
"The strategic impact of your work is often overlooked because we tend to focus on adversaries when the balloon goes up, "she said. "Your soft power strengthens our partners and allies now. You have a lasting and dynamic impact that is vital to our national security."
Battalion Advisor Team 660, led by 6th Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Matthew Kreiter, deployed about 20 Soldiers to Romania for six months; they returned in April. The team conducted security cooperation activities with Romania's 2nd Infantry Division, strengthening NATO alliances, increasing interoperability and improving logistics.
The team conducted more than 350 military engagements, provided 26 recommendations to improve the Romanian Traumatic Combat Casualty Care course, supported a two-week intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance academy, taught a noncommissioned officer leadership course, facilitated decision-making planning to develop and execute a logistics command post exercise, and presented at the War and Disaster Medicine Conference in Estonia on how physical therapy could expedite Soldiers' return to the battlefield.
The five Soldiers of Logistics Advisor Team 6622, led by Maj. Thomas Brooks, returned earlier this year from the Philippines. They worked with the Philippine Army to increase their capacity to fight and deter foreign aggression. The team conducted more than 60 engagements. They trained with 200 Filipino Soldiers on interoperability sustainment, advised Filipino officers on planning and executing their first brigade-level combined arms training exercise, and advised and assisted the Filipino chief surgeon on planning and executing the first medical subject matter expert exchange between the United States and the Philippine Army.
Before the two teams deployed, Kreiter asked that they train hard and "tell the story of how we are building up nations improving our military" to defend freedom and democracy.
"Both these teams, 660 and 6622, did just that. We told our stories to multinational partners across Europe and Asia, the highest levels of both Romanian Land Forces Command and Philippine Strategic Command, U.S. and foreign embassy staffs and security force operators throughout theater," Kreiter said. "Everyone knew and wanted to join the SFAB's cause on improving foreign militaries and interoperability and helping advance U.S. interests abroad."
Those Soldiers who have returned and the rest of 6th Battalion, 54th SFAB, have "to pick right back up and support our team going to Djibouti, Africa, Team 6620," Kreiter said. "These seven individuals are ready. I can already see the success they will have. I've seen the trust, professionalism and team comradery they have already built and will carry on to their partner force."
Kreiter encouraged Team 6620 to get to know their Djibouti counterparts.
"Understand their life, use phrases from their language, and honor their customs and laws," he said.
Team 6620 is led by Maj. Walter Brown, who told the families that the deploying Soldiers "underwent a rigorous selection and were chosen not only based on their expertise in their field and ability to build relationships, but also for their character and integrity."
Brig. Gen. Justin Osberg, the Illinois National Guard joint staff director, thanked the Soldiers' families and employers for their support.
The general presented the team with a State of Illinois Flag to carry to Africa, symbolizing the state's support of the deploying Soldiers.