Neil Taylor grew up in Blandinsville, Illinois, and enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard in 2005. His unit, the 182nd Air Wing, based in Peoria, Illinois, deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. While in Afghanistan, Taylor worked in Nuristan Province helping coordinate close air support to local forces responding to insurgent attacks.
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Neil Taylor posing with his drums about the time of his high school graduation in 2003. Where:
UnknownWhen:
2003Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Neil in combat gear and camouflage paint during his training at Hurlburt Field in Florida near the time of his graduation in 2005. Where:
Hurlburt Field in Florida When:
2005Ownership:
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Taylor went through rigorous physical training while attending school in Florida in 2005. Where:
FloridaWhen:
2005Ownership:
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This is Neil’s graduation picture from training at Hurlburt Field in Florida in 2005. Where:
FloridaWhen:
2005Ownership:
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Neil Taylor wears a TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) helmet during TACP training. Where:
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Neil in full TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) gear. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
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In 2007, Taylor went through training at the Army’s National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, California. Where:
Ft. Irwin, CaliforniaWhen:
2007Ownership:
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Neil is preparing for patrol in Kalagush, Nuristan in 2010. Where:
Kalagush, Nuristan When:
2010Ownership:
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Neil Taylor while on patrol in Kalagush, Nuristan Province, in Afghanistan in 2010.Where:
Kalagush, Nuristan Province, in AfghanistanWhen:
2010Ownership:
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Neil Taylor prepares to bed down in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan in 2010. Where:
Nuristan Province, Afghanistan When:
2010Ownership:
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Neil (on the left) with his partner TSgt John Oliver (also a TACP/JTAC- Joint Terminal Attack Controller) in Kalagush, Nuristan in 2010. Where:
Kalagush, NuristanWhen:
2010Ownership:
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Neil on duty as an Emergency Medical Technician at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois following his tour in Afghanistan. Where:
McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois When:
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Neil with an ambulance at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois, following his return from Afghanistan.Where:
Macomb, IllinoisWhen:
Circa 2011Ownership:
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Senior Airman Neil Taylor (on the right) was in Chicago, Illinois at Navy Pier with a unit vehicle during a public relations/recruiting session. Where:
Chicago, Illinois When:
Circa 2011Ownership:
Narrator’s photo