Illinois National Guard

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 1 in Kankakee, thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support during a retirement ceremony July 16 at AASF 2 in Decatur.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Brig Gen. Lenny Williams, left, Assistant Adjutant General – Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, presents a certificate of retirement to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 1 in Kankakee, during a retirement ceremony July 16 at AASF 2 in Decatur.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Kankakee, is greeted by his family, including wife, Lynette, and daughters Hanna Stevens and Maggie Dhami, following Stevens’ final flight as an Army Aviator July 16 in the Illinois Army National Guard.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, right, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Kankakee, is joined by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wentworth, Illinois Army National Guard Instructor Pilot, on Stevens’ final flight July 16 as an Army Aviator in the Illinois Army National Guard.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Staff Sgt. Daniel Davis, the custodian of the colors of Detachment 2, Company G, 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion, lowers the unit's guidon, allowing Capt. Jonathan Mercado, commander, and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Panatera, detachment noncommissioned officer in charge, to case it. The 'casing' signifies the retiring of the MEDEVAC's colors.

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

Capt. Jonathan Mercado, right, Commander, Detachment 2, Company G, 1-111th General Aviation Support Battalion, and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Panatera, acting first sergeant, case the unit's guidon during a ceremony July 12 at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Kankakee.

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks has been selected as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for Illinois.

Jason M. Benhart is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard.

John Sanders, from a crayon portrait in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. George Rogers Clark’s men caught Sanders who was hunting ducks near Vincennes, Indiana. They took him prisoner, interrogated him for information, and sent him into town with a note for the residents.

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

George Rogers Clark, from a portrait painted by John Wesley Jarvis in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. As the American Revolutionary War intensified, Clark sought approval of a plan from Virginia’s Governor, Patrick Henry, to capture the British-held settlements of Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes in the Illinois Territory.

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

Historical markers dotted in Kaskaskia, Cahokia Heights, Vincennes and Rock Island tell the stories and mark the locations of the westernmost events of the American Revolution as well as other early events involving the Illinois militia. (Graphic by Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Velazquez, then serving in the Illinois Air National Guard, poses during her graduation ceremony at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Velazquez earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on leadership, psychology and sociology, a milestone that helped inspire her pursuit of a Master of Social Work degree and a future career supporting veterans and underserved communities.

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work

Then-Senior Airman Rebecca Velazquez receives recognition during her early years in the U.S. Air Force. Velazquez began her military career seeking adventure and opportunity, ultimately serving 27 years and retiring as the 183d Wing Command Chief, Illinois Air National Guard, before pursuing a new mission in mental health social work. (Courtesy photo)

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work

Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, presents Jodi Hoffman with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff thanking her for her support of her husband, Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. (ret.) Greg Hoffman, throughout his 27-year military career during Greg Hoffman’s June 6 retirement ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service

State Command Chaplain (Colonel) Steve Foster congratulates 1st Sgt. (ret.) Greg Hoffman career during Hoffman’s June 6 retirement ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service

1st Lt. Colin Kehoe will lead the approximately 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co. on its deployment to Alaska where the Soldiers will protect infrastructure critical to the security of the United States of America. He stands with War Pig, the element’s mascot, during the company’s mobilization ceremony, June 7, on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska

1st Lt. Colin Kehoe, who will lead the approximately 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co. on its deployment to Alaska, displays the State of Illinois Flag with Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, during the unit’s June 7 mobilization ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, addresses the deploying “War Pig” Soldiers and their families during the June 7 deployment ceremony for about 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co.

Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska

The “War Pigs” of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Springfield-based 233rd Military Police Co. salute during the unit’s mobilization ceremony, June 7, on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska

Lt. Col. Russell Hayes, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team executive officer, presents Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Rosa with the Meritorious Service Medal during a retirement ceremony June 5 at the brigade headquarters in Urbana.

‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

Lt. Col. Russell Hayes, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team executive officer, presents a certificate of appreciation to Leosvaldo Rosa, the husband of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Rosa, in honor of his support of his spouse during her military service during a retirement ceremony June 5 at the brigade headquarters in Urbana.

‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Rosa, the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Human Resources technician, thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support throughout her 25 years of service with the Illinois Army National Guard during a retirement ceremony June 5 at the brigade headquarters in Urbana.

‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobs, left, presents a framed aerial photograph to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois

U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Strahle, left, presents a mounted jet engine fan blade to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough hold a Certificate of Retirement during a ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, left, presents U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough with a Citation of Merit during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Reed, center, presents a framed photograph of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough presents his wife, Cindy McDonough, with a Certificate of Recognition during his retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

The daughter of Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough speaks from a podium during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough embraces his son, 2nd Lt. Danny McDonough, during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., is shown prior to conducting a flyover of a Chicago Bears football game.

Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., is shown on Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2023.

Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., is shown at the Dubai Air Show in 2023.

Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca has been selected for the dual-hat assignment as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Burton, the command chief of the Illinois Air National Guard, gives flowers to his spouse during his retirement ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, May 3, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Burton, the command chief of the Illinois Air National Guard, addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, May 3, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Burton, right, the command chief of the Illinois Air National Guard, receives a Certificate of Appreciation during his retirement ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, May 3, 2026.

Staff Sgt. Anthony May pins second lieutenant rank on Knayjah Miller during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, May 15

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, poses for a photograph with the Army’s 10 new second lieutenants after the Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Staff Sgt. Anthony May poses for a photo with 2nd Lt. Knayjah Miller during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, congratulates 2nd Lt. Joshua Van Den Broeck, during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

2nd Lt. Jaiden Mitchell hugs Staff Sgt. (ret.) Jon Allen during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, administers the Oath of Office to 10 new Army second lieutenants during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, points to Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, in the audience during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Lt. Col. Harold Larsen, the Professor of Military Science for the Northern Illinois University’s U.S. Army ROTC program, introduces Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, during the university’s Commissioning Ceremony

Illinois Army National Guard 1st Lt. Floyd Bastien administers the State of Illinois Oath of Office to five newly commissioned Illinois Army National Guard second lieutenants during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

2nd Lt. Joci Hasson (right) and 2nd Lt. Donavan Davenport are shown after their promotion to second lieutenant during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Spc. Edna Carreno is a Soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1244th Transportation Company, 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 34th Division Sustainment Brigade.

Portuguese Air Force Brig. Gen. João Paulo Nunes Vicente

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Illinois National Guard Soldiers moving sandbags to build a levee

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

By | July 17, 2026

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens’ 42 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard was celebrated during a retirement ceremony July 16 at the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 2, Decatur.‘The Godfather’ as...

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

By | July 17, 2026

On Oct. 1, 2012 then-Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), more commonly known as “DUSTOFF” started writing its own history chapter as part of the Illinois Army...

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks has been selected as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for Illinois. Hicks, a native of Springfield, Illinois, has more than 23 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard. As the USPFO, Col. Hicks will work directly for the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. In this capacity, Col. Hicks is responsible for receiving, accounting for, and safeguarding all federal funds and property provided to the Illinois National Guard. Operating in this vital role, he ensures federal resources are properly managed and allocated to maintain the readiness of the state's National Guard units for both state and federal missions.

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks Appointed as United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois

By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | July 10, 2026

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, has announced the appointment of Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for...

Concert Flyer for 3 scheduled 144th Army Band concerts for Independence Day weekend.

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day

By | July 1, 2026

The Illinois National Guard's 144th Army Band will perform three concerts to celebrate Independence Day in three communities across the state...

Jason M. Benhart, a civilian employee with the Illinois National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Office of the Inspector General, placed third in the U.S. Army 2026 Inspector General of the Year Competition in the civilian category, and is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard.

Illinois' Jason Benhart Recognized as One of the Top Inspector General Civilians

By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | June 30, 2026

Jason M. Benhart, a civilian employee with the Illinois National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Office of the Inspector General, placed third in the U.S. Army 2026 Inspector General of the Year Competition in the civilian...

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

By | June 29, 2026

As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, most of us remember what we learned in school about the American Revolution. Primarily our lessons focused on General George Washington and the Revolutionary War events that took...

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Freedom 250 - Today in History

July 6, 1886: Camp Lincoln in Springfield was established as the headquarters of the Illinois State Militia, today’s Illinois National Guard.

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