Illinois National Guard News

Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission

Pentagon News — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:30:38 GMT

About seven Soldiers from Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, based in Springfield, mobilized May 4 during a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, Springfield, for a mission to support U.S. Southern Command Counterdrug Operations.

Belvidere Officer Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard After Two and a Half Decades of Selfless Service

Sgt. G. Alejandro Valdes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:20:58 GMT

The Illinois Army National Guard recognized the 25-year military career of Lt. Col. Bernadette Bland of Belvidere, a veteran of two overseas deployments and multiple domestic emergency missions, during a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy Auditorium on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill on May 3, 2026.

Springfield-Based Military Police Co. Prepares for Deployment to Alaska

Sgt. David Ervin — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:47:00 GMT

Soldiers assigned to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 233rd Military Police Company are preparing for an upcoming deployment to Alaska as the unit continues training to maintain readiness and support mission requirements.

Illinois National Guard Soldiers step onto the range and step up to lead

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:20:56 GMT

Soldiers from multiple units in the Illinois Army National Guard conducted and received training for the latest Individual Weapons Qualification (IWQ) course at the Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, March 23 to 25.

Soldier Credits Gold Star Scholarships for Path to Success

Pentagon News — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:05:37 GMT

For Illinois Army National Guard 1st Lt. Jacob Harris, a two-time Gold Star Mission scholarship recipient and a member of the Illinois State Police, becoming involved in the organization put him on a path to success.

Bloomington Soldier Credits Success to Giant Life Lessons

Pentagon News — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:39:23 GMT

The Commander of the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade credited the success in his military career to giants who offered him life lessons. Newly-promoted Col. Bradley Roach of Bloomington, the Commander of the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade, was honored in a ceremony March 20 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln in Springfield, becoming the 19th colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard.

The 34th Division Sustainment Brigade (DSB) Change of Command

Pentagon News — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:38:00 GMT

The 34th Division Sustainment Brigade (DSB) recognized the distinguished leadership of Col. Elizabeth A. Roxworthy of Rochester, Illinois, as she relinquished command to Col. Bradley E. Roach of Bloomington, Illinois, in a formal ceremony on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Fellow Veterans, Family Gather to Remember Soldier who Died During Annual Training Accident in 1999

Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:40:56 GMT

Deb Kash described her son, Spc. Benjamin Kash, as “everyone’s big brother” and “someone who looked out for others.” “It just made sense for him to enlist in the Illinois National Guard and continue the protection of others,” said Kash at a remembrance gathering in honor of Spc. Benjamin Kash at the Waltonville, Illinois, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post March 14.

Chicago White Sox Knock It Out of the Park, Answer Call for Replacement Memento Honoring Fallen Service Member

Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:46:17 GMT

It may be a tiny Chicago White Sox helmet meant to hold ice cream at the ballpark, but for one Gold Star mother, it represents the memory of an afternoon at the ballpark shared with her late son, an Illinois Army National Guard Soldier who died in service to his country. When the small memento went missing from a memorial case honoring the 34 Illinois National Guard service members who have died in service to their country since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Chicago White Sox knocked it out of the park and answered the call to provide a replacement mini helmet.

Illinois Air National Guard Judge Advocate Adjourns Career

Pentagon News — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:29:26 GMT

Being directly recruited into the Illinois National Guard by the Adjutant General is likely rarer than finding a four-leaf clover, but that’s exactly how Illinois Air National Guard Brigadier General John M. (Marty) Green was recruited. Green retired this past April after serving 27 years as a Staff Judge Advocate in the Illinois Air National Guard and in various capacities in Washington D.C.

Illinois National Guard 33rd IBCT Commander and Cavalry Officer Highlights Polish-American Military Bonds on Pulaski Day

Pentagon News — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:33:31 GMT

In a celebration of shared history and enduring partnership, Illinois Army National Guard Col. Michael Kowalski, the Commander of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, addressed students at the Polish Museum of America on Sunday, March 8, highlighting the legacy of General Casimir Pulaski and the critical role of the modern Cavalry.

Guard Officer Retires After 32 years; Has No Plans to Give Spouse’s Liver Back

Cpl. Justin Malone — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:09:57 GMT

After more than three decades of service to the state and nation, Lt. Col. Justin Wilkerson, Deputy Joint Operations Officer of the Illinois National Guard, has retired.

Bryant Promoted to Major in Illinois Army National Guard

Pentagon News — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:15:18 GMT

Capt. Aaron Bryant was joined by family and friends as he was promoted to the rank of major during a ceremony March 5 at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield.

Illinois Army National Guard Commander Honors Captain Walter Dyett Award Recipient

Sgt. 1st Class Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:09:49 GMT

The life and legacy of Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Walter H. Dyett was celebrated March 2 at the Walter H. Dyett High School for the Fine Arts with the presentation of the 2026 Capt. Walter H. Dyett Award.

Springfield Community Gathers to Remember 35th Anniversary of Desert Storm Cease Fire

Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:17:48 GMT

Brig. Gen. Steven B. Rice was a 23-year-old Staff Sergeant serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona during Operation Desert Storm. Rice, now the Assistant Adjutant General – Air, Illinois National Guard, told the group gathered at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield, Feb. 28, to mark the 35th anniversary of the Persian Gulf War cease fire, commonly know as Operation Desert Storm, that although he didn’t deploy during that time, he and his fellow Airmen were training and ready to go.

Illinois National Guard Soldier Promoted to Staff Sergeant in Milan-based Unit

Pentagon News — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:39:18 GMT

Daniela Martinez was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard during a ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Milan-based 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment.

Illinois Army National Guard Field Artillery Battalion Joins With Community to Give Blood

Pentagon News — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:32:42 GMT

Soldiers have been known to give blood, sweat, and tears while protecting our nation and state, but on Saturday, Feb. 21, the Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment in Milan gave more blood than usual.

From Soldier Care to Leadership: Lt. Col. Lionel Gonzalez Retires After 23 Years

2nd Lt. Trenton Fouche, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:22:21 GMT

The Illinois Army National Guard honored Lt. Col. Lionel Gonzalez during a retirement ceremony Feb. 22 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln. The ceremony recognized more than 23 years of service to the state of Illinois and the nation.

Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Instructor Retires After 23 Years of Service

2nd Lt. Trenton Fouche, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:11:42 GMT

The Illinois Army National Guard honored Staff Sgt. Christopher P. Kelnhofer, a longtime Modern Army Combatives Program instructor, during a retirement ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy Feb. 22 on Camp Lincoln. The ceremony recognized 23 years of service.

Brave Band 2026 Strengthens Multinational Readiness as U.S. National Guard Marks 11 Years of Partnership

Pentagon News — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:02:26 GMT

The Lithuanian, Polish, Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) conducted Exercise Brave Band 2026 from Jan. 25 to Feb. 6, an annual battle staff training event designed to enhance the brigade headquarters’ ability to plan, synchronize, and execute multinational operations in a complex operational environment.