Illinois National Guard hosts foreign military attachés

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/29/2015)(readMedia)-- CHICAGO – The Illinois National Guard hosted foreign military attachés from more than 30 different countries April 27.

Maj. Gen. William Cobetto of Hillsboro, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Illinois Air National Guard, said the group was particularly interested in how the Illinois National Guard works with civil authorities during domestic operations.

"They were all very intrigued by our command structure during emergency incident response where civilian authorities are in charge and the National Guard elements play a supporting role," said Cobetto. "I also got quite a few questions about recruiting and retention, and how we budget."

After a short presentation, the foreign military attachés toured the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago before visiting the Illinois National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility # 2 at Midway in Chicago.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Shamsuzzaman of the Bangladesh Army, said he learned something new every day of the tour, which included several days not hosted by the Illinois National Guard.

"In Bangladesh we have a force like the National Guard of the USA, but not so structured. We are trying to develop these forces so that the pressure on the active forces reduces," said Shamsuzzaman. "It's new learning for me, the way the National Guard supports the community in cases of national emergency."

Lt. Col. Daniel Rousselot with the Swiss Air Force said the military in Switzerland is very similar to the National Guard in that about 98 percent of the force is reserve.

"It's interesting to visit the different places and different units," said Rousselot. "It was interesting to see what the differences are between your armed forces and ours and go where we can learn something."

Cobetto said he was surprised the group asked questions about Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul, Illinois, a quasi-military second chance school for Illinois' troubled youth, but said he understood there are similar issues with some youth in their home countries, which explained their interest.

"The take away from this visit is that we've established or extended an endearing relationship with our military counterparts around the world," said Cobetto. "We've got a common bond and are working toward common goals and interests."

Cutline 1: Brig. Gen. Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, of the Bangladesh Army discusses the Illinois Air National Guard with Maj. Gen. William Cobetto of Hillsboro, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Illinois National Guard, during the foreign defense attachés visit April 27 at the Pritzker Military Library and Museum in Chicago. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Daniel Rousselot with the Swiss Air Force looks at a display in the Pritzker Military Library and Museum in Chicago during the foreign defense attachés visit April 27. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 3: Maj. Gen. William F. Duffy, Army Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 (center left) and Maj. Gen. William Cobetto of Hillsboro, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General-Air, Illinois National Guard (center right) along with foreign defense attachés from more than 30 countries met in Chicago April 27 for a visit hosted by the Illinois National Guard at the Pritzker Military Library and Museum. The group discussed how the Illinois National Guard works with civil authorities during domestic operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)