PEORIA, Ill. - Thirteen Airmen with the 182nd Security Forces Squadron arrived home at the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport last night after a seven-month deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Illinois Air National Guardsmen were assigned to the 405th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron overseas, where they were responsible for law enforcement and security missions in the region’s global war on terror.
“The men and women of the 182nd Airlift Wing continue to step up and provide a high level of mission accomplishment for our call to duty around the world. I want to thank the families and the community for their support of our Airmen,” said Col. William P. Robertson of Peoria, 182nd Airlift Wing commander. “(The Airmen) have performed in an outstanding manner and completed the mission.”
Lt. Col. Todd M. Leach of Mapleton, commander of the 182nd Security Forces Squadron, was also pleased with his troops and the outcome of their mission.
“I cannot be more proud of the accomplishments these men and women of the 182nd Security Forces Squadron achieved while deployed. They represented Peoria well on the global stage,” Leach said.
The 405 ESFS leadership overseas praised the unit for making improvements to the air base during its tour. Accomplishments included boosting the security infrastructure, building strong relationships with the host-nation military forces and advancing the air base’s physical and electronic force protection capabilities.