Specialized Army National Guard unit returns from Kuwait

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/30/2017) (readMedia)-- Approximately 10 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Kuwait returned to Illinois Nov. 29 and were reunited with their families.

The Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers were part of the Chicago-based 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team. They were mobilized in February and deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The troops are from: Mode, Illinois; Edinburg, Illinois; Havana, Illinois; Springfield, Illinois; Gurnee, Illinois, and Chicago.

The unit's mission was to facilitate the transition of servicemembers and contractors in and out of the Middle East.

During their nine months in Kuwait, the 633rd processed more than 80,000 military personnel and Department of Defense civilians and contractors who were deploying to and from the Central Command area of operation. The unit also supervised more than 500 troop movements, including supervision of more than 3,300 transportation busses and baggage trucks.

"The Soldiers of the 633rd did an outstanding job," said Capt. Scott Liebhaber of Chicago. "We supported three operations (Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom's Sentinel) and had operational control of Soldiers in four different countries in the Central Command area of operation (Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait). It was a very high-profile mission and the Soldiers of the 633rd excelled."

The 633rd Soldiers received six Meritorious Service Medals and three Army Achievement Medals.

The troops will spend the holidays with their families and a formal awards ceremony will be planned in early 2018.

For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

Cutline 1: Family, friends and colleagues eagerly await the arrival of the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team at the Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport in Springfield, Illinois, Nov. 29. The Chicago-based team supported operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel while stationed in Kuwait for nine months. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Soldiers of the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team embrace their loved ones after arriving home from Kuwait at the Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport in Springfield, Illinois, Nov. 29. The Chicago-based team supported operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel while stationed in Kuwait for nine months. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)