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Illinois soldier shot down
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[NOV. 5, 2003]
PEORIA -- The
Illinois National Guard suffered its third combat-related casualty
Monday, when 1st Lt. Brian Slavenas was killed in the line of duty
in Iraq. Slavenas, 30, of Genoa was a member of Company F, 1st
Battalion, 106th Aviation in Peoria. He was killed at approximately
9 a.m. (midnight CST) when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was
flying was shot down near the town of Fallujah, Iraq.
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Slavenas had been a member of
the Peoria-based aviation unit since 2002, serving as a pilot with
the unit. He deployed to Iraq with his unit in February in support
of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Illinois Army National Guard
aviation unit is currently deployed in the U.S. Central Command area
of operations and is flying numerous missions in support of U.S.
military operations. While mobilized and deployed on active duty,
the unit falls under the normal command and control structure of the
U.S. Central Command.
"This is a very sad day for
Illinois and the men and women of the Illinois National Guard. Our
hearts are with the family of Lieutenant Slavenas, and they have our
complete support as they deal with the tragic loss of their loved
one," said Brig. Gen. Randal Thomas, the adjutant general of the
Illinois National Guard. "The men and women of F Company, 106th
Aviation are highly trained professionals. However, the missions
that our military personnel are performing in Iraq, and in other
places as a part of the global war on terrorism, are inherently
dangerous. My deepest prayers and condolences go out to the family
of this brave and patriotic young man," added Thomas.
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"My heart and the hearts of all
Illinoisans go out to Brian and Brian's family today," said Gov.
Blagojevich. "I commend his bravery and the bravery of all of our
soldiers fighting to end terrorism in the world."
The
Illinois Army National Guard currently has approximately 1,200
soldiers mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Of that total, approximately 120 are
members of the Peoria aviation company, who are deployed and
actively supporting U.S. military operations in Iraq. About another
85 National Guard soldiers are deployed from the Iowa detachment of
the aviation company.
[State news release]
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