Freedom Salute for Decatur-based Illinois Army National Guard Airlift Detachment

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/11/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Approximately 10 Illinois Army National Guardsmen who served in Africa with Detachment 36, Operational Support Airlift based in Decatur, Illinois held a Freedom Salute ceremony at Camp Lincoln, Illinois.

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.

"I am very grateful for the families who supported these Soldiers while they were doing great things for the Illinois National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes. "Without their support this unit could not have accomplished everything that they did."

Detachment 36 previously mobilized in October 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Photo 1 Cutline: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Craig McGuire of Glenarm, Illinois with the Detachment 36 based in Decatur, Illinois during DET 36's Freedom Salute ceremony July 11 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Photo 2 Cutline: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner presents a painting to Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Marley of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, commander of Detachment 36 based in Decatur, Illinois during DET 36's Freedom Salute ceremony July 11 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. The painting is given to units upon their return from overseas to honor them for all they did for the Illinois National Guard, Illinois and the United States of America.

Photo 3 Cutline: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner presents a painting to Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Marley of Cerro Gordo, Illinois, commander of Detachment 36 based in Decatur, Illinois during DET 36's Freedom Salute ceremony July 11 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. The painting is given to units upon their return from overseas to honor them for all they did for the Illinois National Guard, Illinois and the United States of America.

Photo 4 Cutline: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner takes a moment to thank the Soldiers and their families for all they did during the Detachment 36 deployment to Africa during the unit's Freedom Salute ceremony July 11 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.