News - Page 21

IDVA CEREMONY AT ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD HEADQUARTERS HONORS THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE PERSIAN GULF WAR
March 3, 2023 — SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Several Illinois veterans came to the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs’ Desert Storm Remembrance Ceremony to remember the service of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Persian Gulf War and to commemorate a conflict that reshaped the U.S. military. The ceremony was held at the Illinois State Military Museum on Camp Lincoln, the Illinois National Guard’s headquarters in Springfield on Feb. 28. The date marked the 32nd anniversary of the cease fire announcement of the Persian Gulf War... MORE

A veteran lays a rose in honor of the 18 service members from the state of Illinois who passed away while serving in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The ceremony took place Feb. 28 at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield. February 28, 2023, marks the 32nd anniversary of the cease fire announcement of the Persian Gulf War. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Trenton Fouche, Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard)

Illinois National Guard Commander Inducted into Illinois State University College of Business Hall of Fame
February 24, 2023 — Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, can add another achievement to a long list of achievements. Neely, a 1989 graduate of Illinois State University in Normal, was among five inductees into the College of Business’ 2023 Hall of Fame at Illinois State University, Feb. 23. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, second from right, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, joins other 2023 Illinois State University College of Business Hall of Fame inductees in a group photo with Aondover Tarhule, interim ISU president, left, and Ajay Samant, Dean, ISU College of Business, during the induction ceremony Feb. 23 at the ISU campus in Normal.

Approximately 190 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers mobilize for overseas mission
February 8, 2023 — Approximately 190 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, based in Peoria, and Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion, based in Kankakee, mobilized for an overseas mission to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in a ceremony Feb. 7 at the 182nd Airlift Wing, in Peoria. During the deployment the unit will provide aviation support to U.S. forces in the Middle East. ... MORE

U.S. Army soldiers from the 106th Aviation Regiment take part in a mobilization ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, February 7, 2023. The 106th Aviation Regiment is part of the Assault Helicopter Battalion and is deploying to the Middle East.

Springfield Soldier Continues to Build on Illinois National Guard Career
January 13, 2023 — Springfield resident and Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Eric Smith laid the initial foundation to his military career when he enlisted in January 1989 as a carpenter/mason serving in the 744th Engineer Company. On Jan. 13, Smith, the Director of Logistics for the Illinois Army National Guard, continued to build on his 34 years of service when he was promoted to colonel in a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield. ... MORE

Newly promoted Col. Eric Smith, Director of Logistics for the Illinois Army National Guard, thanks family and friends for their support throughout his 34 years of service during a promotion ceremony Jan. 13 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD TO CELEBRATE 300TH YEAR IN 2023
January 3, 2023 — On May 9, 1723 in the small village of Kaskaskia, Diron d’ Artaguiette, the Inspector of Troops for the French Commandant, drilled the first militia in the Illinois Country. What is today known as the Illinois National Guard arose from this humble beginning. Then, as now, the Illinois National Guard was part of the community and drew its strength from the community. The National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. military and the only military component with both state and federal missions. The Illinois National Guard will celebrate its 300th year by commemorating significant dates in its history with communities across the state that share that history... MORE

The Illinois National Guard’s 2nd Infantry Regiment enters the gates of Camp Lincoln, Springfield, in the late 1800s. Vendors used to gather at the gate of Camp Lincoln to sell to the thousands of Soldiers that trained at the facility. The Illinois National Guard will celebrate its 300th year in 2023 with communities across the state.

Normal-based Unit Arrives Home from Deployment to Djibouti
December 29, 2022 — The last of approximately 200 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Normal, Illinois, arrived home just in time to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with friends and family following a successful deployment to Djibouti in Africa... MORE

During the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade’s deployment to Djibouti, military forces from the United States, along with Spanish, and Republic of Korea militaries were able to interact with each other. Nearly 200 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers serving on the deployment arrived home just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

INTEGRATIVE PREVENTION OFFICER: WE NEED ‘NEW AND FRESH’ SOLUTIONS TO HARMFUL BEHAVIORS
December 28, 2022 — Matt Palmisano gets it. The new Illinois National Guard Integrative Prevention Officer was an active-duty Army officer who served in the Infantry and then as a Behavioral Science Officer with a combat deployment to Iraq. He understands that training time is precious, especially for Illinois National Guard units that only have one weekend a month and 15-days of annual training each year... MORE

Matt Palmisano, the new integrative prevention officer for the Illinois National Guard, helps guide his teammate during a resiliency exercise Dec. 1 on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill. During the exercise Illinois National Guard servicemembers were put in teams and asked to help guide each other through obstacles while blindfolded. The exercise assisted groups with building trust while working together in a team environment. Instructors from NATAL, the Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center, brought resiliency training to the Illinois National Guard as a U.S. pilot course called Operational Stress Management and Resiliency Care for First Responders. The course ran from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, followed by another week of teleconference training.

Illinois National Guard Helps Make 3-Year-Old June Peden-Stade's Wish for a Parade a Reality
December 20, 2022 — The temperature was 23-degrees Fahrenheit, but it was a warm June Day in Auburn, Illinois, on Dec. 17 as the Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders, schools, and community groups from across the region to give 3-year-old June Peden-Stade a parade. "It means the world to June and us to have June's wish granted in such a big and heart-warming way," said Adam Stade, June's father. June is bravely fighting neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. The parade included more than 200 vehicles and floats as well as two high school marching bands, multiple cheerleading squads, school sports teams, and colorful characters from the Paw Patrol to Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. The Illinois Army National Guard contributed 10 trucks and about 20 Soldiers from the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; Charlie Company of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion; Battery B of the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery; and the 3637th Maintenance Company - all based in Springfield, Ill., about 30 minutes from Auburn. The parade lasted more than two hours, with many pausing in front of June's Washington Street home to perform or to give a gift to June. The Illinois National Guard Soldiers presented June with flowers and a big Teddy Bear and saluted her bravery. With the weather outside being a little too frightful for June's health, she watched the parade through her front door window. The Make A Wish Foundation reached out to the City of Auburn with June's wish just four days before the parade and supporters flocked in from all over Central Illinois to make the parade a reality. Town, city, and county police and sheriff took part, including the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Secretary of State Police. Fire departments from all over, including the Illinois Fire Marshal's Office, were there in force. The Christian County Shrine Club sped around in miniature cars and "CJ and Joey" the mascots for HSHS Children's Hospital - where June receives treatment - waved to June from the back of a pick-up truck. Lt. Col. Mike Barton, the Commander of the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, said that his unit's noncommissioned officers jumped on the opportunity to support June's parade as soon as the public affairs office sent the request. "The National Guard is part of the community and this was the community pulling together for June. We were truly honored to be part of her special day."... MORE

Illinois Army National Guard trucks line up prior to June's parade.

The temperature was 23-degrees Fahrenheit, but it was a warm June Day in Auburn, Illinois, Dec. 17 as the Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders and community groups from across the region to give 3-year-old June Peden-Stade a parade. The Make A Wish Foundation reached out to the City of Auburn with June's wish this week and supporters flocked in from all over Central Illinois to make the parade a reality, including 10 trucks and about 20 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; Charlie Company of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion; Battery B of the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery; and the 3637th Maintenance Company - all based in Springfield.

Illinois National Guard Receives Resiliency Training from Israel
December 15, 2022 — Israeli first responders and service members have responded to hundreds of attacks against Israel’s citizens over many years. On Monday, Dec. 5, Shin Bet (the Israel Security Agency) reported 196 attacks in November, 401 in October, 254 in September and 209 in August. The Israelis have gained a lot of experience dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and have worked on ways to become more resilient in their efforts to cope with that stress and trauma. Now the Illinois National Guard is benefitting from the Israel’s experience in building resilience. ... MORE

Itai Biran, the Consul for Political and Commercial Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest in Chicago, welcomes members of the Illinois National Guard to the course at Camp Lincoln, Springfield. Biran talked about the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues.

Illinois National Guard, Colombian Military Partners Build Professional, Personal Relationships
November 16, 2022 — Bilateral exercises are an important part of building relationships between nations and enhancing the abilities of partner nation armies to work together through various missions and problem sets. Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 (ExSV23), currently taking place at Tolemaida Military Base in Colombia, is U.S. Army South’s premier training exercise designed to accomplish these goals... MORE

404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts Change of Command during Brigade Ball

National Guard Officer Retires from Army after 21 Years, Continues Service with VFW

Illinois National Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement

Gov. Pritzker Names Colonel Steven B. Rice as Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard

725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled

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.

TAG Holiday Message

Approximately 250 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

1-178th Infantry Welcomes New Commander

Approximately 265 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

Illinois National Guard Unit From Pontiac Played Vial Role in U.S. Military Operations in Somalia

Freeport-Based Military Police Unit Returns From Critical Mission in the Tundra

Illinois National Guard Regional Training Institute Gets New Commander

Illinois National Guard Soldier Becomes Naturalized U.S. Citizen During Ceremony

Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Support Bright Star 25 in Egypt

Illinois National Guardsmen Compete in the Annual TAG Match 2025 to Test and Enhance Marksmanship

Two childhood friends from the Illinois Army National Guard compete together in the ILNG TAG Match 2025

Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Welcomes New Director

Elmhurst, Ill.. Officer Takes Command of Illinois Army National Guard Infantry Brigade

Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the Illinois State Fair

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd Joins 8th Infantry Association in Scholarship Presentations

Sullivan-based Logistics Unit Returns After Deployment to Africa and Europe

Public Affairs Unit Returns after Historic Deployment to Europe

Illinois National Guard to Partner with Portugal as Part of National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program

Brig. Gen. Jorge M. Fonseca Promoted and Appointed Director of the Joint Staff

Retiring Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Director Led Academy With Vision and Passion

Illinois Army National Guard's Deputy Assistant Adjutant General Selected as Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army South

Geneva, Ill., Officer Promoted to Major General in the Illinois Army National Guard

Springfield-based 232nd CSSB Mobilizes for Deployment to Europe

Illinois National Guard Honors Master Sgt. Francis Sarnecki’s 31 Years of Service

New Berlin Soldier Takes Oath as Commissioned Officer in Illinois Army National Guard

Future Illinois Army National Guard Officers Walk the Battlefield at Fort Donelson

Native of Chicago's Little Village selected as Illinois National Guard's Next Director of the Joint Staff

Newest Commissioned Officer Took Path from West Africa to Illinois National Guard Leadership

Bloomington Soldier Retires after 38 Years of Service

St. Louis Police Officer, Combat Veteran, Retires after 23 Years in the Illinois Army National Guard

Moline Police Lieutenant and Combat Veteran Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard with Top Enlisted Rank, Over 30 Years of Service

Founding Member of Elite Illinois Armory National Guard Unit at Rock Island Arsenal Retires After 23 Years of Service

65th Troop Command Brigade Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader

Springfield-based Unit Mobilizes for U.S. Central Command Deployment

Approximately 550 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Deployment

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Students Take Top Honors in Illinois National Guard's Best Warrior Competition

Mount Vernon Easter Egg Hunt Brings Illinois National Guard Families and Families of the Fallen Together

Illinois Army National Guard Unit Trains for U.S. European Command Deployment in Marseilles

Springfield Officer Assumes Command of Illinois National Guard Medical Unit

From Carpenter to Colonel – Eric Smith Retires After 36 Years of Military Service

Student Selected as 2025 Walter Dyett Award Recipient

Huntley Soldier Assumes Command of 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion

Illinois National Guard Recruiting Has Record February

Eureka Soldier Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

Decatur Soldier Hangs Up Uniform after 32-Years of Military Service

Approximately 1,370 Illinois Guard Members Were Activated for Overseas Duty

Mastering the Skies: First Army Advances Counter-UAS Training

Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Featured in Documentary About Life After Combat

Approximately 550 ‘Blackhawk Battalion’ Soldiers Mobilize for Overseas Mission

Unit ‘Built on Soldier Care’ Celebrates Achievements During European Command Deployment

Illinois National Guard General from Geneva, Illinois, Assigned to New Position in Korea

34th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade Supported Historic Missions in Middle East

‘Family-first, Soldier-first’ Leader Retires from Illinois Army National Guard

Mahomet Soldier Rises to Sergeant Major in Illinois Army National Guard

ILNG Senior State Property Book Officer Retires After 27-Year Career

'Small But Mighty' Unit Mobilizes to Support U.S. Army Europe and Africa

Approximately 140 Illinois National Guard Members to be Activated for Presidential Inauguration Security

ILARNG’S TOP RECRUITING COMPANY IS FEARLESS IN TOUGH MARKET

“Bulldog” Warrant Officer Promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Five

‘Just Call Gina’ Dickerson Retires After Nearly Four Decades of Supporting Soldiers and Airmen

Illinois Army National Guard Recruiters Judge Chicago’s JROTC Drill Competition

Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd IBCT Holds Change of Responsibility

After 27 Years, Officer Says Farewell to Illinois National Guard

Chicago All-Academy Basketball Classic

Maj. Gen. Dixon assumes command of Joint Task Force North

Illinois Army National Guard Troops Return Home

Honoring Heroes: Gold Star Families Unite in Remembrance and Hope

Brigadier General Daniel R. McDonough Promoted and Honored for Distinguished Service

Illinois, Ohio Guard Teams Survey Polish Bases with USAFE

Machesney Park-based Transportation Company readies to “Fuel the Fight” during deployment to U.S. European Command

ILARNG Commander Promoted to Brigadier General

Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Laid to Rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Nearly 82 Years After His Death in POW Camp

Chatham Soldier Assumes Command of Aviation Battalion

Remains of WWII Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Return to Illinois After Nearly 84 Years

Huntley Soldier Assumes Command of 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion 

Approximately 1,370 Illinois Guard Members Were Activated for Overseas Duty  