Local National Guard Unit Deployed to Middle East

Members of the Effingham unit of the Illinois National Guard have been mobilized for service in the Middle East.

A mobilization ceremony was held Saturday at Effingham Junior High School. 

The soldiers belong to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment. They will deploy to the US Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The soldiers will provide security operations overseas during the deployment.

A spokesperson for the Illinois National Guard said the local company will have Jordan as its base of operations. Illinois Guardsmen will be stationed in 17 different locations in seven countries.