Illinois Army Guard soldiers killed in Afghanistan

SPRINGFIELD — Two Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery of Robbins, Ill., died Sept. 17 in Afghanistan.

Spc. Joshua Harris, 21, and Sgt. Jason Vazquez, 24, were killed as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device. Two other coalition service members and an Afghan national were also killed. The incident is under investigation.

A resident of Oak Park and a 2006 graduate of Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park, Harris enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in August 2005. He went on to attend Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Okla., in 2006.

Vazquez, a resident of Chicago and a 2002 graduate of Chicago Public High School in Chicago, enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in July 2002. He went on to attend Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Okla., in 2003.

Both Harris and Vazquez deployed to Fort Bragg, N.C., for additional training before arriving in Afghanistan in late August.

“Spc. Harris and Sgt. Vazquez were great Soldiers, proud of their military service and their service to our country,” said Lt. Col. Tim Bizoukas, commander of 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery. “Their compassion and dedication for their fellow Soldiers could be seen in the work completed on a daily basis.”

Harris was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant and Vazquez was posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

“This is by far, one of the most difficult and saddest times for the Illinois National Guard. This loss is felt by us all, both overseas and here at home,” said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. “On behalf of the men and women of the Illinois National Guard, we offer our deepest condolences to the Harris and Vazquez families and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

The Illinois Army National Guard sent about 220 soldiers to Afghanistan to provide security forces (SECFOR) for police mentor teams. The SECFOR team consists of four different Illinois Army National Guard units: Battery A and B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery from Sycamore and Crestwood; Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery from Chicago; and Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry from Effingham.