Freedom Salute Ceremony for Specialized Springfield unit that deployed to Afghanistan

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/17/2014)(readMedia)-- Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized March 22 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A11 based in Springfield, Ill. will be at 1:30 p.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, Ill.

The BEST A11 Soldiers mobilized in February 2013 and deployed to Afghanistan, returning home Dec. 12.

The team served as primary staff officers for Task Force White Eagle, a Polish brigade-sized task force responsible for security and intelligence operations, Afghanistan security force development, and Regional Command-East drawdown operations in Ghazni province. The team supported more than 3,000 coalition members, contractors, local civilians and Soldiers on the base.

BEST A11 Commander, Col. Chris Lawson of Springfield, Ill. said BEST A11/Task Force White Eagle Soldiers and Afghan Security Forces removed more enemy forces from the battlefield than any other area in Afghanistan and the most ever in Ghazni since operations began.

The team defeated a Taliban attack Aug. 28, which an Afghan National Army commander indicated was the most resourced and comprehensively planned attack in eastern and southern Afghanistan. An Active Duty Army Soldier was killed in the offensive. Two Soldiers of BEST A11 and two Soldiers from Task Force White Eagle were recognized with awards for their role in defeating the Taliban attack.

The Task Force White Eagle area of responsibility also had the second most direct fire attacks and the task force responded to more than 50 rocket attacks on the base.

Among numerous other accomplishments, the team also assisted with locating 18 tons of hazardous material explosives, the largest in Ghazni history.

All members of the team were awarded combat action badges for direct enemy contact. Additional decorations included: 12 Bronze Stars Medals, one Bronze Star with V device for valor, one Purple Heart, four Army Commendation Medals, and one Army Commendation Medal with V device for valor. All members of the team were also awarded the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, the first U.S. personnel to be awarded the insignia as members of the 25th.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and are asked to contact the Public Affairs Office to gain access to Camp Lincoln.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard

-30-