62 troops embark on mission at Fort Greely, Alaska

FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) – Creating the next generation of leaders, the Illinois National Guard celebrates 62 soldiers during a mobilization ceremony on Thursday.

Cheers were heard all around for the 333rd Military Police company as they embark on a nine-month mission at Fort Greely in Alaska. Before the mission, soldiers will refine their skills at Fort Willis learning to master their craft. From there, they will head to Greely to protect one of the U.S.’s most critical infrastructures.

Colonel Lenny Williams says they couldn’t do it without the support of their friends and family. Joining the loved ones of the troops was Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who Williams says attends every mobilization ceremony he can.

“To see our veterans in the room, and I use the analogy that they pass the baton on to us, I really believe in that. I mean, they forged the way and they’ve given the baton to us and it’s us taking it forward,” Williams says. “And you see how incredible this group of young soldiers is.”

Like many of the soldiers, it’s Lt. Christian Grego’s first deployment. He will lead the company on this first Illinois deployment to Fort Greely. He says the connection between soldiers will carry them to the end.

“You can already see the bonds in their personal lives in their professional lives of training in each month to month,” Grego says. “Being up in a remote area where we will be all that training and all those personal bonds is what’s going to get them through.”

Williams adds not only will they return from deployment as veterans, but the soldiers will also become better leaders.

With thousands of open positions all throughout the U.S. Military Williams says they’ve had to get creative when recruiting. As they hope to inspire a new generation of leaders, he says there is a spot for anyone with a desire to serve.

“It’s getting better, it ebbs and flows. I think we just went through an ebb and were coming out of it now,” Williams says. “We’ve seen some numbers increase in the last year or so it’s getting better.”

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