Hometown Military News for April 27, 2015:
Decatur based Illinois Army National Guard Airlift Detachment home from Africa
SPRINGFIELD – Approximately 10 Illinois Army National Guardsmen who served in Africa with Detachment 36, Operational Support Airlift based in Decatur, Illinois have returned home.
The unit mobilized in July 2014 and deployed to Djibouti, Africa, for approximately nine months.
Detachment 36 flew Beechcraft C-12 Huron aircraft to conduct operational airlift support missions in seven different countries in eastern Africa. Their mission included transporting more than 600 personnel and more than 75,000 pounds of cargo as directed by the commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
The unit conducted more than 200 missions, encompassing more than 1,000 hours of aircraft flight time and covering more than 250,000 nautical miles.
The eight pilots and two flight operations non-commissioned officers returned home individually throughout the month of April. The unit will be formally recognized for its deployment during a Freedom Salute ceremony sometime this summer.
Detachment 36 previously mobilized in October 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Illinois National Guard, Springfield emergency responders, conduct shooter exercise
By Staff Sgt. Robert Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois National Guard conducted an active shooter exercise April 23 to enhance cooperation between agencies during a variety of emergency scenarios.
“We conduct an active shooter exercise annually to ensure that personnel on Camp Lincoln are aware of how to protect themselves in these types of scenarios,” said Capt. Jacob Beard of Jacksonville, Ill., Provost Marshal for the Illinois National Guard.
Sgt. Bob Davidsmeyer, Training Coordinator for the Springfield Police Department, said close quarter battle training is nothing foreign to his officers.
“Going into this exercise we weren’t given any information,” said Davidsmeyer. “You don’t get a real assessment of your guys if give them information ahead of time in training, so this exercise was very beneficial.”
The exercise focused on local first responders conducting an assessment of Illinois National Guard facilities, cooperation with other local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management services.
“In this year’s exercise, we looked to more efficiently execute the immediate response and focused on ensuring that accountability and follow-on medical care was closely monitored and effectively communicated with all of our partners,” said Beard.
The emergency exercise included Springfield Police Department, Springfield Fire Department, Sangamon County Sherriff’s Department, Sangamon County Office of Emergency Management and other civilian partners.
Air Force Airman Kyle Gibson
Air Force Airman Kyle D. Gibson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Gibson is the son of Don A. and Karen J. Gibson of Hudson, and grandson of Peggy Gibson of Towanda. He is a 2014 graduate of Normal Community West High School, Normal.
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