Sparta Army National Guard Firefighting Team Returns From Iraq

Aug. 16 ceremony in Sparta for the 661st Engineer Detachment Firefighting Team

SPARTA, IL (08/14/2018) (readMedia)-- Six Soldiers of Illinois Army National Guard's 661st Engineer Detachment Firefighting Team based in Sparta, Illinois, will return home on Aug. 16, 2018.

The unit deployed in October 2017.

The 661st was responsible for aircraft rescue firefighting operations and structural firefighting operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The unit also conducted cross-training with Iraqi Air Force firefighters.

This was the first deployment for this detachment.

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

All members of the six-person team were awarded the Army Achievement Medal with "C" device.

WHO:

661st Engineer Firefighting Team 

Illinois Army National Guard
WHAT:

 A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for a team of Soldiers who deployed to Iraq.
WHEN: Thursday August 16, 2018 at 04:30PM Central Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Sparta Armory
1803 N. Hillcrest Dr.
Sparta, Illinois 62286
NOTES:

 For security reasons, the information in this release is embargoed until the arrival of the unit in Sparta.

Media should arrive by 4 p.m. as actual time of ceremony is dependent on flight arrival time and ground transport time to Sparta.

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