Chicago and Springfield specialized Illinois Guard units perform joint pre-mobilization training

Public affairs, aviators, military police and embedded staff prepare for unique deployments

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MARSEILLES, ILLINOIS (05/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Story by Pfc. Justin Malone, with contributions by Spc. Nicole Nicholas, Spc. Ian Withrow, Sgt. Christopher Garibay, Sgt. Ryan Twist, Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, and Sgt. James Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Illinois Army National Guard

A convoy of humvees rolling down the street suddenly comes to a screeching halt. A group of Soldiers jump out with weapons in hand, their eyes glued to a suspicious object in the middle of the road. Someone yells, "Wires! Wires! Wires!," and the entire group falls back to their vehicles to take precautionary measures and await further instructions.

Illinois National Guard Soldiers with C Co., 2-135th Medical Evacuation Aviation based in Chicago, deploying to Kuwait, along with the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST A15) deploying to Afghanistan, the 233rd Military Police Company (MP Co.) deploying to the Middle East, and the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, all from Springfield, Illinois, met at Marseilles Training Center (MTC) in Marseilles, Illinois, for two weeks to train under the Illinois' Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element (PTAE) before their respective deployments.

"We are training for mobilization," said 1st Lt. Carl E. Crawford, of Springfield, Illinois, platoon leader for the 233rd MP Co.

During the two-week training, Soldiers performed multiple drills to improve their skills on and off the battlefield, such as Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), running a traffic control point,

Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP), Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT), Sexual Harassment Assault Response Program (SHARP), base defense and convoy training. Soldiers had many positive things to say about the training.

"What we did, specifically, was infantry-based training to bring our Soldiers up to speed on some skills they may not have used since basic training," said Capt. Dustin Cammack, of Evanston, Illinois, commander of the 139th MPAD.

"I had a blast," said Spc. Ian Withrow, a print journalist assigned to the 139th MPAD, and a native of Galesburg, Illinois, now a resident of Springfield, Illinois. "I tend to enjoy everything about the military and we've gotten to do a lot of things here that I haven't been able to do in quite awhile."

Cammack echoed this statement.

"Basic soldiering skills teach discipline, rank structure, how to communicate as a leader and get troops to follow," said Cammack. "It really develops the whole package as far as being a Soldier, from basic training to your military occupation specialty skills."

Despite the similar training, each unit had specialized tasks to complete to meet their specific mission.

Lt. Col. Michael Beierman, of Peotone, Illinois, the commander of BEST A15 and deputy commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade based in Normal, Illinois, said the mission of BEST A15 was as the support element for the Polish contingent in Afghanistan. A sizable portion of BEST A15's training was centered on meeting that need.

"The BEST [team] is learning about the Polish culture and language because the Polish Army is different than the [U.S.] Army," said Beierman. "Therefore we have to learn their structure."

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Brogdon, of Jacksonville, Illinois, an administration non-commissioned officer with BEST A15, said he is excited to learn about the Polish culture and language.

Brogdon recently downloaded an application for his phone to learn Polish and practices speaking it with his niece, who resides in Poland. The 135th Aviation, a relatively new unit established in 2013, conducted radio training practiced loading casualties onto the aircraft and ground base training such as land navigation.

"As far as aviation goes, we have our own unique mission," said Capt. Amanda Lempke, of Bloomington, Illinois, commander of C Co., 2-135th MEDEVAC Aviation.

Unfortunately, strong winds in the Marseilles area grounded the aircraft for safety reasons, but that didn't stop the training.

"It made us more rounded in our skills," said Lempke. "If the wind dictates that we can't fly then we do other ground-based training."

Annual training also played a strong role in strengthening the bonds within the team, as well as with other units, said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Edsell, of St. Louis, Missouri, senior flight medic with the 135th Aviation.

"I think the best thing we got from this training was being able to come together as a unit," said Edsell.

There was one common message amongst the command teams at MTC regarding the training.

"Training was phenomenal," said 1st Sgt. Mike Chrisman, of Athens, Illinois, senior non-commissioned officer of the 139th MPAD. "Most people don't realize we have such an amazing training program for Soldiers deploying overseas."

"The PTAE was excellent," said Cammack. "They were highly professional, highly skilled and they really provided a level of customer service that helped us perform our duties to the standard they set. They are excellent individuals and they provided us with skills and refresher training that every Soldier should have."

Sgt. Maj. Shane Lammers, of Champaign, Illinois, noncommissioned officer in charge of the PTAE, assigned to Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, does what it takes to ensure Soldiers are ready for their overseas missions.

"It's our job to make sure the Soldiers are trained to standard before they are deployed," said Lammers. "If the Soldiers need my guys to stay later - then we stay later."

Cammack said he appreciated the opportunity for units to bond.

"I've seen the camaraderie grow from day one until the last day," said Cammack. "One of the things I'm doing as a commander is building the cohesion throughout the unit. Our mission is going to be very unique and very stressful... having teamwork and cohesion will be very important with getting all of our tasks done and doing so in a professional manner."

Cutline 1: Staff Sgt. Lester L. Sanchez of Edwardsville, Illinois, a squad leader with the 233rd Military Police Company in Springfield, Illinois, guards the entrance of the entry control point during a mock training exercise on April 20, at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois. Sanchez used his military police experience to help other Soldiers, who are being prepared to deploy, to better understand how to handle combat arms jobs. The 233rd is set to deploy to Afghanistan later this year. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. Ryan L. Twist, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Cutline 2:Members of the 135th Aviation, a medical evacuation unit out of Chicago, perform training around a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during a training exercise at the Marseilles Training Center, April 20. The 135th is preparing for a mobilization to Kuwait set for later this year. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by St. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Cutline 3: Soldiers from the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment based in Springfield, Illinois, scheduled to deploy to Cuba, the 135th Aviation, based in Chicago scheduled to deploy to Kuwait, the 233rd Military Police Company based in Springfield, Illinois, scheduled to deploy to the Middle East, and the Bileteral Embedded Staff Team A15 (BEST A15) based in Springfield, Illinois scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan, guard the entrance of the entry control point during a mock training exercise on April 20, at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Capt. Dustin W. Cammack, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Cutline 4:Pfc. Justin Malone (left), of Wood River, Illinois, a print journalist with the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) based in Springfield, Illinois and Lt. Col. Michael Beierman (right), of Peotone, Illinois, the deputy commander of the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST A15) based in Springfield, Illinois watch a vehicle search performed by the 233rd Military Police Company based in Springfield, Illinois at an entry control point during a mock training exercise on April 20, at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Capt. Dustin W. Cammack, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Cutline 5: Sgt. Zach Zimerman of Auburn, Illinois, with the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) based in Springfield, Illinois, takes video of detainee operations training during a culminating training exercise at the Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois April 20. The 139th MPAD is preparing for a mobilization to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, set for later this year. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Pfc. Justin Malone, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)