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Col. Jessica McPherson addresses Soldiers and guests after assuming command of the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade during a Change of Command ceremony in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Col. David Helfrich gives his outgoing remarks during the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's Change of Command ceremony in Normal, Illinois, on Jan. 10, 2026.
Brigade leadership from the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conduct a Change of Command ceremony, formally transferring authority from Col. David Helfrich to Col. Jessica McPherson in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Col. Jessica McPherson poses for a photo with a guest at the 404th MEB Brigade Ball in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Brigade leadership stands center stage during the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's Change of Command ceremony, formally transferring authority from Col. David Helfrich to Col. Jessica McPherson in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Jennifer Hillyer is embraced by her friend, Sgt. 1st Class Misty Mesecher, following her retirement ceremony on January 9.
Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael Servough presents a gift to Maj. Jennifer Hillyer on behalf of the soldiers she served with during her retirement ceremony on Jan. 9.
Col. Jeff Hicks, the Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer Army, presents Maj. Jennifer Hillyer with a framed American Flag during her retirement ceremony on Jan. 9.
Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Jennifer Hillyer embraces her friend, Sgt. 1st Class Misty Mesecher, after her retirement ceremony on Jan. 9.
Hugo Costa, executive director for the Portuguese Space Agency, and U.S. Ambassador to Portugal John J. Arrigo pose for a photo.
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, speaks during a ceremony formalizing the State Partnership Program agreement between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese military on Jan. 12.
U.S. and Portuguese officials pose for a group photo after formalizing a State Partnership Program agreement between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese military in Lisbon on Jan. 12.
General José Fonseca, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces, speaks at the State Partnership Program signing ceremony in Lisbon on Jan. 12. He called the agreement "a clear commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation" between the two nations.
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois, signs the formal agreement creating a State Partnership Program between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese military in Lisbon on Jan. 12.
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd of the Illinois National Guard and Portuguese Lt. Gen. Rui Freitas sign a formal agreement on Jan. 12, creating a State Partnership Program between their respective forces.
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd of the Illinois National Guard and Portuguese Lt. Gen. Rui Freitas shake hands after signing a State Partnership Program agreement in Lisbon on Jan. 12.
During the State Partnership Program signing ceremony in Lisbon on Jan. 12, Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, Commander of the Illinois National Guard, said the agreement "highlights the strength of NATO and the enduring alliance between Portugal and the United States."
Colonel Steven B. Rice of Morrison selected as the next Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard.
Maj. (promotable) Benjamin Reeder, Commander of the 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, pins military medals on 725th Transportation Company Soldiers during the unit’s Welcome Home Ceremony.
Illinois Army National Guard 725th Transportation Company Soldiers.
Multiple Illinois Army National Guard 725th Transportation Company Soldiers were awarded military medals.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kehinde Salami, Senior Enlisted Leader of the Illinois National Guard, discusses the excellent performance of Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Bryce.
Capt. (promotable) Charles Smith, right, and 1st Sgt. Eric Daggett, left, listen to Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General and Commander of the Illinois National Guard.
The Illinois Army National Guard’s 725th Transportation Company held a Change of Command Ceremony after its Welcome Home Ceremony.
Posing for a photo after the 725th Transportation Company Welcome Home Ceremony.
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Brigade leadership stands center stage during a Change of Command ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade during the brigade ball in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026. The ceremony formally transferred command from Col. David Helfrich to Col. Jessica McPherson, symbolizing the passage of authority and responsibility for the brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Ervin, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard)
404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts Change of Command during Brigade Ball
By 2nd Lt. Trenton Fouche | Jan. 14, 2026
The Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade formally transferred leadership during a Change of Command ceremony held Jan. 10, 2026, during the 404th MEB Brigade Ball in Normal, Illinois...
Col. Jeff Hicks, the Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer Army, presents Maj. Jennifer Hillyer with a framed American Flag upon her retirement from the Illinois Army National Guard after 21 years of service. The retirement ceremony was held Jan. 9 at the Northenders Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10302 in Springfield. Hillyer retired after 21 years of military service but continues to serve her community as the Junior Vice Commander of VFW Post 10302.
National Guard Officer Retires from Army after 21 Years, Continues Service with VFW
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Jan. 14, 2026
Maj. Jennifer Hillyer of Springfield retired after 21 years of military service to our state and nation in the Illinois Army National Guard in a Jan. 9 ceremony at the Northenders Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 10302,...
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Portuguese Lt. Gen. Rui Freitas shake hands after signing the formal agreement creating the State Partnership Program between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese military on Jan. 12 at the Portuguese Ministry of Defense in Lisbon. The State Partnership Program is a Department of War initiative led by the National Guard that supports the security cooperation objectives of U.S. combatant commands and aligns with U.S. State Department strategies. Through the program, the National Guard builds enduring relationships with partner nations by sharing military expertise, exchanging defense knowledge and strengthening mutual security cooperation.
Illinois National Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement
By Cpl. Justin Malone | Jan. 13, 2026
The Illinois National Guard and the Ministry of National Defense of the Portuguese Republic held a ceremony Jan. 12, 2026, in Lisbon to officially establish a new State Partnership between the two armed forces...
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has selected Illinois Air National Guard Director of Staff Colonel Steven B. Rice of Morrison, Illinois, as the next Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard. With the selection, Colonel Rice will be promoted to Brigadier General and will serve as one of two Governor-appointed deputies to Major General Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. The other deputy is Brigadier General Lenny Williams, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army. Col. Rice will replace Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough, who will retire after more than 39 years of military service. (Courtesy photo.)
Gov. Pritzker Names Colonel Steven B. Rice as Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Jan. 5, 2026
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has selected Illinois Air National Guard Director of Staff Colonel Steven B. Rice of Morrison, Illinois, as the next Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard.With the...
Maj. (promotable) Benjamin Reeder, Commander of the 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, pins military medals on 725th Transportation Company Soldiers during the unit’s Welcome Home Ceremony. Multiple Illinois Army National Guard 725th Transportation Company Soldiers were awarded military medals ranging from Meritorious Service Medals to Army Achievement Medals during the unit’s Welcome Home Ceremony, Dec. 13, at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, Ill. The unit deployed in support of U.S. European Command from October 2024 to September 2025. About 160 Soldiers from the Machesney Park, Ill.-based unit celebrated a deployment to U.S. European Command in which the unit completed more than 93 real-world missions, supported two major multinational exercises, and delivered more than 2.1 million gallons of fuel – all the while making personal and professional improvements in themselves. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Davanh Sanamixay, 725th Transportation Company)
725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Dec. 23, 2025
About 160 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Machesney Park-based 725th Transportation Company celebrated a deployment to U.S. European Command in which the unit completed more than 93 real-world missions,...
Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard
Upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38 years in uniform.
By Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard | Dec. 19, 2025
It is with a mixture of gratitude and respect that I announce the upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38...
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