SPRINGFIELD – Six Illinois National Guard Soldiers and a helicopter are being deployed in California to help battle wildfires. On Friday Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the mission involving a CH-47F Chinook helicopter and six soldiers from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 238th General Support Aviation based in Peoria. The team will be in California for 14 days. The crew will operate a 2,000 gallon Bambi Bucket and assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“This is a great example of how the Illinois National Guard can use its military capabilities to help others in need,” said Brig. Gen. Richard Neely, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. “These Soldiers just returned from their annual training in Nevada where they practiced many of the high altitude and high temperature aviation skills they will now put to use in helping our fellow citizens in California. I couldn’t be more proud of these Soldiers and the families and employers that support them. This is what it means to be a member of the National Guard.”
All costs associated with these deployments will be paid for by California.
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