Published on December 8, 2025 7:06 am
Last Updated on December 8, 2025 7:06 am
Approximately 135 soldiers of Illinois Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment returned home Saturday. An arrival ceremony is scheduled for the soldiers who returned from a successful deployment to the US Central Command Area of Responsibility.
The ceremony was held at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah. An embargo was in place on information on the return until the soldiers had returned home.
The unit deployed in February 2025, mobilized in support of Operation Spartan Shield and deployed to seven countries throughout the US Central Command’s area of responsibility, namely Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel. During the deployment, soldiers conducted security forces and base defense operations, securing critical assets and infrastructure.
Approximately 550 soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment were mobilized. The unit will return in four different teams.
