WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderMore soldiers will return to Dixon tonight

More soldiers will return to Dixon tonight

DIXON (WREX) - Another group of Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers are returning home from Afghanistan tonight.

The soldiers are part of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. They have spent the past year in Afghanistan helping with patrols and training the Afghan National Police.

"Working side-by-side with their Afghan counterparts in the army and police, the members of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix have provided invaluable training and mentoring of Afghan security forces at this critical time in Afghanistan's history," Brig. Gen. Steven Huber, Commander for Task Force Phoenix. "Their performance under challenging, and often dangerous, conditions has contributed immeasurably to increasing the capacity and capability of Afghan National Security Forces. The people of Illinois can be extremely proud of these great Illinois citizen-Soldiers and the important work they have done this past year to help the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its effort to build professional, capable security forces to protect its citizenry from both internal and neighboring threats."

During their time at war, four members of their combat team were killed, including two from the Dixon unit. 1st Lt. Derwin Williams of Glenwood and Spc. Chester Hosford of Ottawa, both members of the Dixon unit, were killed on July 6 when their vehicle was struck by an explosive device.

Since their deployment in 2008, 18 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers from the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team have been killed and more than 30 Soldiers have been seriously wounded.

The unit is part of the largest overseas deployment of the Illinois National Guard since World War II.

"I want to salute the men and women returning for their brave, selfless service to our country," said Governor Pat Quinn. "They are our true patriots and I welcome them back home to Illinois."

Welcome home ceremonies are planned for all four returning units. The one in Dixon will be held at the Dixon Armory, 412 W. Everett, at 5:00 p.m. tonight.