SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Seven Illinois National Guard Soldiers from Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, based in Springfield, mobilized May 4 during a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport for a mission to support U.S. Southern Command Counterdrug Operations.
“Today marks the shift from preparation to action,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Maroon, Detachment 5 commander. “You are capable and you are ready.”
Prior to the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the adjutant general and commander of the Illinois National Guard, met with the Soldiers and family members to express his appreciation.
“Thank you to the families for their support of our warriors. Without your support, we are not able to do what we do while wearing this uniform,” he said. “Thank you to the warriors for accepting this mission. I look forward to hearing about the things you accomplished when you return.”
Set in the terminal at the airport bearing the name of the Illinois National Guard’s most famous member, Capt. Abraham Lincoln, and with the replica of the Lincoln Memorial in the background, family, friends and fellow Soldiers gathered to bid farewell to the deploying Soldiers.
“It is an incredible privilege to watch our Soldiers go out the door and do the job they signed up to do,” said Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, assistant adjutant general – Army and commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. “But they can’t do it without the support of family members. It’s important to understand what our family members are doing and the sacrifice they make to hold down the household during a deployment.”
Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment has a proud history of service. In 1991, unit members landed the first C-12 in liberated Kuwait. In 2007, the unit deployed to Balad Air Base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, followed by Afghanistan in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2014 and 2019, the unit continued its mission with deployments to the Horn of Africa.
“This unit has a phenomenal history, as you heard,” Williams said. “How cool is it that of all the states and territories with a C-12 unit, ours was the first to land in Kuwait after it was liberated? This unit deploys constantly. We are going on six and a half years since their last deployment, which is the longest stretch the organization has had without a deployment post 9/11.”
Williams told family and friends that Detachment 5 is full of experience.
“They are well trained and well versed in their duties,” he said. “What you do on this deployment is always a representation of our communities, our organization, the U.S. Army and the United States of America. This is part of your legacy, for your team, your legacy in the unit and as individual members. I know you will go out and do an excellent job.”
Maroon said the mobilization ceremony marks the first page of the next chapter in the unit’s history.
“Today we begin writing the next chapter of this unit’s proud history guided by its legacy,” he said. “Each Soldier you see here is an important part of our team. Every role is essential. Every task performer directly contributes to our unit’s success.”
Maroon said Detachment 5 is ready for its mission.
“We have trained for this,” he said. “We have prepared for the uncertainty which comes with deployment and the demands of our mission. I have great confidence in this team because I have seen the standard they set every day.”
Maroon reminded the Soldiers of his three guiding points for the deployment.
“First, do the right thing,” he said. “Make good choices both on duty and off duty. Your actions during deployment not only reflects on this unit, but the Illinois National Guard and the U.S. Army.”
“Second, do everything to the best of your ability,” he said. “Pursue excellence as a standard in everything you do. Execute every task with precision. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, but learn from them.”
Maroon urged the Soldiers to take care of each other.
“Look out for one another,” he said. “Speak up when you see something isn’t right.”
Maroon thanked families and loved ones for their support and sacrifice during the deployment.
“Your sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed,” he said. “Your support at home enables this mission to happen. I am grateful you are here and I remain committed to taking care of your loved ones while away on this deployment.”