From the armed forces

• Air Force Airman 1st Class Nikolas W. Dittel has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches; and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training receive credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Dittel is the son of Lana M. Lemons of Antioch, a 2003 graduate of Antioch Community High School, and a 2007 graduate of Western Illinois University, Macomb.

• Army National Guard Sgt. Michael R. Vanderkoon is completing training to deploy to Afghanistan with the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The brigade will be the backbone of Task Force Phoenix VIII and its mission of training and mentoring the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Thirty units in the brigade will mobilize for up to a year, with most of the time spent in Afghanistan.

More than 2,700 soldiers in the Urbana-based brigade completed many of the 130 soldier training tasks in Illinois before moving to Fort Bragg, N.C., for final certification before deployment. The mobilization for Task Force Phoenix VIII will be the largest call-up of the Illinois Army National Guard since World War II.

Vanderkoon, a fire team leader and gunner with five years of military service, is normally assigned to the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, Woodstock, N.C.

He is the son of Jeff and Susan Vanderkoon of Palatine, graduated in 2004 from Buffalo Grove High School, and received an associate degree in 2007 from Harper College, Palatine.