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First Sgt. Colton Love stands in front of his unit during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
The mobilized Soldiers stand in formation during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
The mobilized Soldiers stand in formation during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Something got the attention of 6-year-old Graham and 7-month-old Thatcher Tucker during the mobilization ceremony for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The two boys are the sons of the unit's commander, Capt. Donald Tucker and his spouse, Felicia Tucker. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Six-year-old Graham amuses his brother, 7-month-old Thatcher Tucker, during the mobilization ceremony for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The two boys are the sons of the unit's commander, Capt. Donald Tucker and his spouse, Felicia Tucker. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Two-year-old Ezra Mikhail points to the ceiling fan during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. Ezra is the son of mobilized Soldier, Sgt. Ethan Mikhail. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
The mobilized Soldiers stand at attention during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL8 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Guidon bearer Spc. Patrick Lopez stands at attention during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL9 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Sullivan, Illinois, Mayor Mike Mossman holds his hand over his heart as the National Anthem is played during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL10 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, and Capt. Donald Tucker, Commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, display the State of Illinois Flag the unit will fly overseas and bring back to Illinois during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL11 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Tonya Wiley, a Military Family Readiness Specialist, talks to the families of the mobilized Soldiers after the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn. Family Readiness Specialists support military family well-being and enhance family readiness, resilience and quality of life.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL12 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Sullivan, Illinois, Mayor Mike Mossman listens to the unit history recited by Master of Ceremonies Maj. David Ferguson during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn. Sullivan, Illinois, with about 4,400 people, is known for its patriotism and support for U.S. service members and veterans.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL13 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Col. Seth Hible, Commander of the 33d Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and State Command Chief Warrant Officer Tom Black, listen to Capt. Donald Tucker during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn. The unit, commanded by Tucker, falls under the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL14 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, speaks to the Soldiers and their Families during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. Williams called the unit "small but mighty" noting the importance of the unit's mission overseas. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL15 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs, Commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, and State Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Kelly listen to Illinois Army National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams speak during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL16 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Capt. Donald Tucker, 634th Brigade Support Battalion Cmmand Sgt. Maj. Sarah Roman, Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs, Commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, and State Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Kelly listen to Illinois Army National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams speak during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. Tucker commands the unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, who will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL17 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Makenzie Hayes, 7-year-old Max Probst, Bri Tyler, and 2-year-old Jamison Probst, listen to Illinois Army National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams talk about the importance of family support during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. They are the family of mobilized Soldier Sgt. Jordan Probst. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL18 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Stephen and Bonnie Tyler, the in-laws of Sgt. Jordan Probst, listen to Illinois Army National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams speak during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers including Probst, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL19 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs, Commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, speaks during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Jacobs said the Soldiers were hand-picked for this mission by their leaders. She also spoke about the community's support for its Soldiers. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL20 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs, Commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, speaks during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Jacobs said the Soldiers were hand-picked for this mission by their leaders. She also spoke about the community's support for its Soldiers. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL21 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Capt. Donald Tucker speaks to his Soldiers during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. Tucker, who will command the unit overseas, spoke to the Soldiers about the need for precision, adaptation, agility, and anticipation in the logistics mission. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL22 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Capt. Donald Tucker speaks to his Soldiers during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. Tucker, who will command the unit overseas, spoke to the Soldiers about the need for precision, adaptation, agility, and anticipation in the logistics mission. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL23 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
The mobilized Soldiers stand in formation during the mobilization ceremony for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL24 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Ten-month-old Humberto Trejo waves to his uncle, Spc. Kareem Trejo-Ortiz, from the lap of Maria Trejo during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL25 / 25Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Spc. Patrick Lopez holds the unit guidon during the mobilization ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element, Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
(Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton)VIEW ORIGINAL
The Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element was activated on Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan for deployment to Africa and Europe.
A forward logistics element (FLE) is a diverse team composed of an assortment of military occupation specialties to support the forward-deployed warfighter. The Sullivan-based unit only has about a dozen Soldiers but it will play a vital role supporting U.S. forces in Africa and Europe, said Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army of the Illinois National Guard and the Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, during the mobilization ceremony.
The unit is “small but mighty,” Williams said. “Your mission is critical.” The general thanked the unit’s families for their support, which allows the Soldiers to focus on their jobs, and he challenged the Soldiers to take care of each other and to think about their legacy. “What will your legacy be? What will they say about you at the Welcome Home ceremony?”
Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs, Commander of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, said the element’s Soldiers were hand-selected for the deployment. “I have no doubt you will make us extremely proud.” She said the Soldiers can be proud of their role supporting logistics. “Logistics win wars,” she said.
Capt. Donald Tucker will command the FLE overseas. The unit is likely move around to different areas supporting U.S. military units in both Africa and Europe and will initially be divided with Tucker taking a team to Africa and 1st Sgt. Colton Love taking another team to Germany.
Tucker stressed the importance of remaining “flexible to overcome obstacles” and meeting U.S. Forces logistical needs with “precision and adaptation, anticipating needs multiple steps ahead.”
The Soldiers are expected to return sometime next autumn.
Sullivan Mayor Mike Mossman and City Commissioner Doug Shook joined the families and friends to see off the unit. The rural south-central Illinois city of 4,400 people is known for its support of U.S. service members and veterans.
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