Illinois National Guard

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Polish Armed Forces Soldier, Sgt. Krzysztof Kolonko of Szczecin, Poland, a member of the 12th Mechanized Infantry Brigade tightens a tourniquet in the Warrior Tasks portion of the state Best Warrior Competition at Marseilles Training Center, Marseilles, Illinois on April 6, 2019. Competitors were expected to stop the bleeding of the realistic injury simulator. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Kyle Odum, 139th, Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

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Illinois State Command Sergeant Major Sean P. Carney, poses for a picture in between the winners of the state Best Warrior Competition. (left) Air National Guardsmen Senior Airmen Jacob A. Mullen, (right) Army National Guardsmen Sgt. Ezra P. Hunter. Mullen took home the title of Soldier of the Year, while Hunter won Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. (U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Stephen Gifford, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

2019 IL BWC Competitors at Catigney Park

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Competitors for the 2019 Illinois National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Cantigney Park in Wheaton, Illinois, April 4, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Patrick J. DeGeorge, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

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U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth poses with the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Iraq. The senator served in the Illinois Army National Guard for more than 23 years. In 2004, she deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard. Her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade Nov. 12, 2004

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Then a captain in the Illinois Army National Guard, Tammy Duckworth stands by her UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Now a U.S. senator, Duckworth would spend 23 years in the Illinois Army National Guard retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on Nov. 12, 2004. Duckworth lost both legs and partial use of her right arm in the explosion and received a Purple Heart for her combat injuries. She returned to Iraq in April 2019 visiting with Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers from the 108th Sustainment Brigade who are deployed there. (Submitted Photo)

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Sgt. Ryan Aberle of Decatur, Illinois, with the Company A, 1st Battalion 106th Aviation based in Decatur, Illinois, requests medical evacuation during the Best Warrior Competition April 9th at the Marseilles Training Center, Marseilles, Illinois. The Illinois Best Warrior Competition was a 4 days competition that pits the top Soldiers across the state against each other in a multitude of events designed to test their physical fitness, mental toughness, and their competence at warrior skills. The winners of the competition become the state's Soldier and NCO of the Year and go on to compete against Soldiers from surrounding states at regional completions across the country in May.

The Illinois Army National Guard is a whole new way to serve. It's all about a commitment to help communities in need. It's solid dedication to country. In war and in peace, it's a citizen-soldier tradition that spans more than 360 years. It's an elite team that shares similar core values, convictions and beliefs. This is what it means to be in the Illinois Army National Guard. The Illinois Army National Guard has a unique dual mission to serve both country and community. When the state Governor calls out the Guard in the wake of a natural disaster, we're there. Whether helping fight wildfires in the West, tornadoes in the Midwest or floods in the South, you'll find the Guard there, ready and prepared to help our communities and neighbors in need.

Illinois State Command Sergeant Major Sean P. Carney, poses for a picture in between the winners of the state Best Warrior Competition. (left) Air National Guardsmen Senior Airmen Jacob A. Mullen, (right) Army National Guardsmen Sgt. Ezra P. Hunter. Mullen took home the title of Soldier of the Year, while Hunter won Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. (U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Stephen Gifford, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Mapleton Airmen, Tunnel Hill Soldier win Illinois National Guard Best Warrior

By Spc. Kyle Odum | May 20, 2019

The Illinois Army National Guard hosted competitors from the Army and Air National Guards as well as Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces during its Best Warrior Competition at the Marseilles Training Center, Marseilles, Illinois, April 4-7, 2019.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth poses with the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Iraq. The senator served in the Illinois Army National Guard for more than 23 years. In 2004, she deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard. Her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade Nov. 12, 2004

United States Senator Visits the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Iraq

By Staff. Sgt. Robert Adams | May 20, 2019

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth returned to Iraq in April to visit Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 108th Sustainment Brigade deployed there and to show her support for their service and mission in the region.

ILLINOIS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD UNIT NOTIFIED OF NORTHERN COMMAND MISSION

By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | May 20, 2019

The Illinois Army National Guard received notification that approximately 90 Soldiers and equipment from the 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment are slated to be activated for federal service in the spring of 2020.