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The mobilized soldiers stand at attention during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan.
SULLIVAN — The Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element mobilized for an overseas mission in a ceremony Monday, Jan. 20, at the Readiness Center in Sullivan.
A forward logistics element is a diverse team composed of an assortment of military occupation specialties to support the forward-deployed warfighter.
The Sullivan-based unit, with just over a dozen soldiers, will play a vital role supporting U.S. forces in Africa and Europe. The soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
The unit is “small but mighty,” Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams said during the ceremony. “Your mission is critical.”
Williams, the commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, thanked the unit’s families for their support, which allows the soldiers to focus on their jobs, and he challenged the soldiers to take care of each other and to think about their legacy.
“What will your legacy be? What will they say about you at the Welcome Home ceremony?” he asked.
Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs, commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, said the element’s soldiers were hand-selected for the deployment.
“I have no doubt you will make us extremely proud,” she said, and that they can be proud of their role supporting logistics. “Logistics win wars.”
The unit is expected to move around to different areas supporting U.S. military units. Initially the unit will be divided with a team going to Africa and another going to Germany.
Illinois Army National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer David Hammon lands in Decatur after his final ceremonial flight. The fire truck is waiting to douse the aircraft with water, and then Hammon himself, as a traditional salute and farewell.
The mobilized soldiers stand at attention during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan.
