Springfield Based Military Police Mobilize for Afghanistan

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/02/2016)(readMedia)-- Approximately 30 Soldiers with the 233rd Military Police Company were recognized during a mobilization ceremony Jan. 29 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

The Soldiers will train for a brief time at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying to Afghanistan. The

MPs will be conducting a multitude of security missions in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the new name for operations in Afghanistan.

The deploying Soldiers were joined by family members, friends, colleagues and a small group of distinguished visitors including Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood.

Brig. Gen. Michael Glisson of Festus, Missouri, Director of the Illinois National Guard's Joint Staff told the soldiers to communicate, not only with each other, but with their families back home to ensure successful completion of the mission.

First lieutenant Carl Crawford of Springfield, Illinois, commander of the 30-person mission, said he was confident in the ability of the group that he's leading.

"I've got an amazing group," said Crawford. "They're a senior group that makes my job really easy and I hope that continues for the time we're gone."

Many of the Soldiers deploying previously deployed with the 233rd. Crawford said that the unit will rely on that experience during the next nine months.

The team from the 233rd is expected to return home in December 2016.

Cutline 1: Deploying Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Company based in Springfield, Illinois, stand as family members, colleagues and distinguished visitors applaud them during a deployment ceremony held at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Jan. 29. Thirty Soldiers of the 233rd will are deploying to Afghanistan to conduct security missions in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and are expected to return home in December 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office.)

Cutline 2: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (left) and Brig. Gen. Michael Glission of Festus, Missouri, director of the Illinois National Guard's Joint Staff, present 1st Lt. Carl Crawford of Springfield, Illinois, commander of the deploying Soldiers, with the Illinois flag that will accompany them on their mission. Thirty Soldiers of the 233rd will are deploying to Afghanistan to conduct security missions in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and are expected to return home in December 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office.)