Troops deployed for a year

Almost 200 Illinois Army National Guard soldiers based in the northern part of the state are being mobilized for a one-year deployment to the Horn of Africa.

Those assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment include troops from Illinois Army National Guard units in Pontiac, Kewanee, Dixon and Aurora. The soldiers were mobilized in mid-June and will train in Texas for several weeks before heading on their mission to Africa.

Around 40 Illinois Army National Guard Cavalry Soldiers will augment the Minnesota Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, where they will perform force protection missions across the region.