News - Page 32

High School Teacher Appointed Illinois National Guard's Chief of Joint Staff
February 7, 2022 — A high school teacher at Lake Park High School in Roselle has been selected as the Illinois National Guard’s next Chief of the Joint Staff. Col. Seth Hible of Winfield serves as a traditional National Guard Soldier and will continue teaching full-time. In his military duties, he now plays a key leadership role planning and coordinating Illinois National Guard support for domestic operations, international cooperation, and interagency and intergovernmental coordination. Hible began his duties as Illinois National Guard Chief of the Joint Staff earlier this month. ... MORE

Col. Seth Hible, Chief of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff.

Illinois National Guard Awarded High-Tech Intelligence and Electronic Warfare and Sensors Battalion
February 5, 2022 — SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker announced today that the Illinois Army National Guard is one of only eight states selected for an Intelligence and Electronic Warfare & Sensors (IEWS) Battalion as part of the U.S. Army's future investment plans. The unit will include nearly 200 highly skilled technology positions in Illinois and the U.S. Army will invest multi-millions of dollars in the unit’s high-tech infrastructure, equipment and training. The unit is slated for activation in 2027, with the Illinois Army National Guard beginning to start filling in positions in 2025. ... MORE

Maroa Post Office named to honor fallen Illinois Guardsman
February 5, 2022 — SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Jeremy Ridlen, of Paris, Illinois, was among approximately 170 Soldiers who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in December 2003 with the 1544th Transportation Company, based in Paris. He was just 23 years old when he died from small arms fire May 23, 2004, after a dump truck on the side of the road was detonated as his military convoy passed by in East Fallujah, Iraq. ... MORE

183rd Air Component Operations Squadron Named 2022 Verne Orr Award Winner
February 5, 2022 — SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – The 183rd Air Component Operations Squadron (ACOS), 183rd Wing, based in Springfield has been selected as the Air Force Association’s Verne Orr Award recipient for 2022 at the Air National Guard level. The award, established by the Air Force Association in honor of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr, recognizes an Air Force unit that makes the most effective use of its human resources. ... MORE

Range Allows National Guard and State Partners to Battle Safely in Cyberspace
February 5, 2022 — SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – During drill weekends, Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen often go to the range for training. A typical day at the range might include training in tasks from physical fitness, to land navigation, to weapons qualification. This year a new range, the Illinois National Guard’s Joint Cyber Range, will offer service members and their civilian partners an exciting training tool in the cyber domain. The Illinois Air National Guard’s 183rd Air Wing, based in Springfield, hosts the cyber range. Physically, the range consists of approximately 10 servers, networking equipment, computer terminals, and other information technology infrastructure that can be configured to create a variety of training scenarios. An official ribbon-cutting and tour of the range is being planned for March. The Joint Cyber Range will bring challenging, but safe, training to the Illinois National Guard’s cyber service members and their Illinois partners. ... MORE

Illinois National Guard Soldier's Quick Actions Saves Lives During Shooting
January 11, 2022 — The quick actions of a Soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard is credited with saving many lives during a shooting at the Somers House Tavern in Kenosha, Wisconsin, April 18. Spc. Jared Reyes, of Harvard, Illinois, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 33rd Military Police Battalion, based in Machesney Park, was off duty with friends at the tavern in Kenosha when the shooting occurred. Two of Reyes’ friends were wounded by the gunfire. Reyes assisted his friends before he began ushering others to safety. ... MORE

Spc. Jared Reyes, third from the left, is shown with other Soldiers honored at the Army-Navy game Dec. 11.

Springfield Soldier Appointed Command Chief Warrant Officer of Illinois Army National Guard
January 7, 2022 — Chief Warrant Officer (5) Thomas Black of Springfield was selected to serve as the sixth Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Illinois National Guard. Black, who enlisted in 1987, previously served as the Deputy of Supply and Logistics Management for the Supply and Services division of the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office. He spent his enlisted career as a flight medic and automated logistics specialist before attending Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in 2005. ... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer (5) Thomas Black of Springfield, Illinois, was the sixth Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Illinois National Guard.

New Illinois Air Guard Director of Staff Brings National and Overseas Experience
December 28, 2021 — Lt. Col. Michael Mihalik of O’Fallon, the Commander of the 126th Civil Engineer Squadron, 126th Air Refueling Wing, has been selected as the next Illinois Air National Guard Director of Staff and will be promoted to colonel... MORE

Resources Available for Guard Members Facing Difficulties
December 28, 2021 — Deployments. Financial emergencies. The loss of a loved one. Many things can cause stress for members of the Illinois National Guard and their families. There are resources available to assist members of the Illinois National Guard to help ease the stress caused by these life changing events. ... MORE

Illinois Air National Guard Headquarter Earns Excellence Award
December 9, 2021 — Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, Director of the Air National Guard, recently announced Headquarters, Illinois Air National Guard (ILANG) is among six Air National Guard units that will receive the 2020 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (AFOEA). “Our Airmen in the Illinois Air National Guard execute the mission, day in and day out, with precision and excellence,” said Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. “We’re extremely proud to receive this award, which is a reflection of the selfless service of the men and women of the Illinois Air National Guard.” ... MORE

Already a Coach, Artist, and ‘Brady Bunch’ Dad – Army Officer is Now a Major

U.S. and Malaysian soldiers conduct joint walking blood bank training

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

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

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

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough of Peoria Retires after Nearly Four Decades of Military Leadership

Illinois Army National Guard Aviator Wins Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award

Illinois National Guard's Director of Joint Staff Selected For Key Army Intelligence Role

The Power of Transformational Leadership: CMSgt Retires After 27 Years of Service

Illinois National Guard Leaders Welcome 10 New Second Lieutenants During Spring ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies

Proud New American: Spc. Edna Carrena Shares Her Journey To U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service

Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission

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

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

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

Soldier Credits Gold Star Scholarships for Path to Success

Bloomington Soldier Credits Success to Giant Life Lessons

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

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

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

Illinois Air National Guard Judge Advocate Adjourns Career

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

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

Bryant Promoted to Major in Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Army National Guard Commander Honors Captain Walter Dyett Award Recipient

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woodstock-Based ‘Honeybadgers’ Named Illinois Army National Guard’s Top Recruiting Company for Third Straight Year

Staff Sgt. Francisco Orozco Named Illinois’ Top Army National Guard Recruiter for Second Year, Earns National Recognition

Small Store, Big Impact: Illinois National Guard Soldiers Help Exchange Boost Soldier Morale at Forward Operating Site Karliki, Poland

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Ramos Named Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting Rookie of the Year

Illinois National Guard Honors Former Guardsman Abe Lincoln

Cold-Weather Capable: IL ANG PA Airmen Test Limits During NS 26-1

Lake in the Hills Veterans Service Officer Promoted in the Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Air National Guard’s New Top Enlisted Leader: ‘Get All the Training You Can’

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

Huntley Soldier Assumes Command of 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion 

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