MEDIA ADVISORY: Sparta Army National Guard Firefighting Team Mobilizes for Iraq

Oct. 18 ceremony in Sparta for the 661st Engineer Detachment Firefighting Team

SPARTA, IL (10/16/2017) (readMedia)-- WHO:

• Illinois Army National Guard's 661st Engineer Detachment Firefighting Team based in Sparta, Illinois.

WHAT:

• A mobilization ceremony is scheduled for a team of Soldiers who will deploy to Iraq.

WHEN/WHERE:

• Oct. 18 at 11 a.m.

• Sparta Fire Station, 1803 Hillcrest Drive; Sparta, Illinois.

WHY:

• The unit will train at Fort Bliss, Texas, for a brief time before deploying for Iraq.

• The 661st will be responsible for aircraft rescue firefighting operations and structural firefighting operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

• This is the first deployment for this detachment.

• This is the first Iraq deployment for an Illinois Army National Guard unit since 2011-2012.

• The unit is expected to be mobilized for approximately 10 months, returning during summer 2018.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• For more information, contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil or 217-761-3569

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