Mobilization of North Riverside National Guard Unit Canceled

NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL (07/05/2011)(readMedia)-- After training hard for several months and preparing families and civilian employers for what they expected to be a year in Kuwait, approximately 75 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard's 710th Area Support Medical Company in North Riverside will not deploy.

The Army canceled the unit's deployment because of the drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq. The unit was scheduled to deploy in November in support of Operation New Dawn, the new phase of operations in Iraq.

"While I'm sure many family members are relieved to hear this news, I think most of the Soldiers are disappointed," said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "These are troops who put their lives on hold to train for this deployment and invested plenty of energy preparing mentally and physically."

For Soldiers who have already adjusted their personal lives with their civilian careers and education, they may qualify for a hardship tour through their chain of command.

"I am proud of all the Soldiers in this unit who put their country first and their personal lives on hold for this deployment," Enyart said. "While this mission no longer exists, I know these Soldiers will have plenty of future opportunities to serve their country as they originally intended."