Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment
Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Andres Olalde runs to assist their fellow Soldiers during base defense training at Marseilles Training Area in Illinois on March 31. The 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is conducting training at Marseilles for two weeks preparing for an upcoming deployment to Poland.
Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment
Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Termaine Cunningham mans his position during base defense training at Marseilles Training Area on March 31. The 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is conducting training at Marseilles for two weeks preparing for an upcoming deployment to Poland.
Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment
Spc. Kameron Wilson speaks with First Army Division East observer-trainer-controller Sgt. 1st Class Michael Polombi at the entrance to the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31. In his civilian life, Wilson works as an engineer for the State of Illinois. The 232nd CSSB is training at Marseilles Training Area in Illinois for two weeks in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Poland.
Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment
Illinois Army National Guard Spc. James Outlaw mans his position during base defense training at Marseilles Training Area on March 31. The 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion is conducting training at Marseilles for two weeks preparing for an upcoming deployment to Poland.
Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment
Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Kevin Schreier and Sgt. Jocelyn Kolthoff man the entrance to the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31. In her civilian life, Kolthoff works for the Illinois Department of Corrections. The 232nd CSSB is training at Marseilles Training Area for two weeks in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Poland.
Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment
Spc. Kameron Wilson mans the entrance to the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's base camp on March 31. In his civilian life, Wilson works as an engineer for the State of Illinois. The 232nd CSSB is training at Marseilles Training Area for two weeks in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Poland.
/ Published April 7, 2025
Marseilles, Ill.,
Approximately 70 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard's 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion based in Springfield trained for an upcoming deployment to support U.S. European Command in Marseilles.
But it wasn't Marseilles, France, famous for the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica and sunny beaches.
Rather this was Marseilles, Illinois, with the rugged terrain of the Illinois Army National Guard's Marseilles Training Area. This military friendly town includes the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial on the banks of the Illinois River and Illini State Park's Illinois Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial with its serene oak trees.
But the Soldiers had little time for sightseeing as spent the last week of March and the first week of April at Marseilles training for a deployment to Poland. There they will assist with logistics for the U.S. military and its allies. They are expected to mobilize in June.
While Marseilles, France, might be closer in distance to Poland, the rural community in LaSalle County, Illinois, is much closer to Poland in weather and terrain and provided a great training environment for the Soldiers.
The Illinois National Guard has shared a National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program with the Polish military since 1993 and it is among the oldest and most successful partnerships.
