An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Oct. 22, 2010

Illinois Guard, Polish soldiers train for Afghanistan deployment

By Courtesy Story

MARSEILLES, Ill., - A specialized team made up of Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard and Polish Land Forces hosted a media day during pre-mobilization training here at the Marseilles Training Center Oct 21.

The Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A7 conducted close-quarters weapons training, long-range marksmanship and a culminating weapons training event while explaining their training to reporters from across Illinois during breaks.

The BEST A7 is composed of 22 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and six Polish Soldiers. All say the training is valuable for creating team cohesion.

"We train together because we fight together," said Lt. Col. Piotr Zieja, who will be the chief of staff for Task Force White Eagle when the BEST A7 arrives in Afghanistan.

"Training together will lead to working together better in Afghanistan and knowing each other better," said Zieja.

Col. Michael Haerr of Eureka is the BEST A7 team chief and said training together will be a key to a successful deployment.

"We're getting to know each other and understand each other and by the time we get to Afghanistan, we'll know exactly what each others' strengths are and how our individual roles contribute to the total team effort," said Haerr.

The BEST A7 will train for about six weeks in Poland beginning in January before deploying to Afghanistan for six months.

Once in Afghanistan, the team will assist the Afghan government to extend its authority across the country, perform security operations and help stabilize the war torn nation. The team will also mentor and support the Afghan National Army and support Afghan government programs to disarm illegally armed groups.

 

 

Related Articles
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, discusses briefing details with Col. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff for the Louisiana National Guard, during the annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 21, 2025. The drill helps synchronize plans and strengthen coordination across LANG’s senior leadership ahead of hurricane season.
Louisiana Guard Rehearses Emergency Plans for Hurricane Season
By Capt. Peter Drasutis, | May 28, 2025
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard conducted its annual Hurricane Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drill at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Baton Rouge May 21, uniting key personnel across multiple commands to refine...

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations - preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.
New Hampshire Guard Teams with Morocco for Sling Load Training at African Lion 2025
By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester, | May 28, 2025
TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for...

From left, Sgt. Edward Acda, Lt. Col. Vern Perez, Sgt. 1st Class Celine Taitano, Capt. Ryan Arellano, Staff Sgt. Jovencio Mortera, and Sgt. Avery Tyquiengco of the Guam National Guard participate in Balikatan Cyber Defense Exercise, Manila, April 27, 2025. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces designed to strengthen the alliance, showcase the capable combined force, and demonstrate the commitment to regional security and stability. (Courtesy asset)
Guam Guard Participates in Balikatan 2025 Cyber Defense Exercise
By Mark Scott, | May 28, 2025
MANILA, Philippines – A team of cyber professionals and an intelligence analyst from the Guam National Guard attended Balikatan 2025, participating in the three-week Cyber Defense Exercise alongside teams from various...