Day: July 25, 2011

A big kudos to Gen. Huber of Byron, which is just south of Rockford. Here’s the story from the National Guard bureau in Springfield:

Almost two years after returning from Afghanistan where he commanded nearly 8,000 Soldiers and Marines with Task Force Phoenix, an Illinois National Guard general has accepted a prominent position with First Army Division East.

Brig. Gen. Steven Huber of Byron has been chosen to serve as Deputy Commanding General, First Army Division East, at Fort Meade, Md. The group’s senior headquarters is First U.S. Army, which recently relocated to Rock Island Arsenal. It is a dual-hat position, dividing his regular duties in the Illinois Army National Guard and providing oversight and leadership to deploying units under the responsibility of First U.S. Army East, which includes all the states east of the Mississippi River.

“This is an outstanding opportunity to serve with First Army and help those who are deploying overseas like we were helped when we deployed the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team for Afghanistan,” said Huber. “It will be a great way to give back to those who helped us.”

First Army Division East is responsible for mobilizing, training, and deploying National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen along with selected members of the interagency and intergovernmental departments.

“It is also a great opportunity for Illinois to partner with First Army who recently relocated to our own backyard at Rock Island,” Huber said. “This is a great way for the Illinois Guard to be part of the solution and I envision that our Soldier opportunities with First Army will continue to grow.”

Huber was nominated for the three-year assignment by Illinois Adjutant General William Enyart and went through a competitive selection process before being notified of his selection in early July.

“Brig. Gen. Huber embodies the traits that are needed to be in a position of this magnitude,” said Enyart. “His knowledge and experience will help servicemembers from throughout the eastern part of the U.S., while helping the Illinois National Guard continue to build great relationships.”

Although Huber’s duties will require him to spend a lot of time at Fort Meade, Md. as well as other training and mobilization centers, he will continue to live in Illinois with his family.

Since returning from Afghanistan in 2009. Huber has served as the Illinois National Guard’s Director of the Joint Staff for Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield. Although he is elated at the new opportunity, Huber is sad to leave his current position.

“They are a great group, well led and well staffed with highly qualified and dedicated people,” Huber said. “They have made great strides in the last year and I will miss every one of them.”

Huber will remain a member of the Illinois National Guard during this assignment, now serving as Commander, Land Component, Illinois Army National Guard to align both dual-hat assignment duties with mobilization forces, supporting the warfight, and other overseas contingency operations.

While this position is an honor, he said deploying with the 33rd IBCT and leading Task Force Phoenix is still the highlight of his career.

“Nothing will be able to top being in command of a task force in a combat zone, leading dedicated Illinois Soldiers and doing a mission that is important to our nation,” Huber said. “However, this will be my chance to give back and help others succeed.”

Huber said he is excited for the new challenge.

“It will allow me to continue to professionally develop as a leader and gets me back in the fight working with line units and our Nation’s best and brightest – Soldiers, which is where I like to be.”