Photos

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Maroon, Commander of Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, addresses Detachment Soldiers, family members, and friends, during the unit’s mobilization ceremony May 4 at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.

Share

Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Assistant Adjutant General – Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Thomas Black, Command Chief Warrant Officer, Illinois National Guard, present Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Maroon, Commander of Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, with the state of Illinois flag which will accompany the unit on its upcoming mission to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

Share

Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Assistant Adjutant General – Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, thanks family members and friends for their support of their Soldiers during a mobilization ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.

Share

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, front row, center, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, met with the Soldiers from Detachment 5, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment, prior to the mobilization ceremony May 4 at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.

Share

Lt. Col. Bernadette Bland of Belvidere, a veteran of two overseas deployments and multiple domestic emergency missions, holds her Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army with Col. Timothy Newman during her ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy Auditorium on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill on May 3, 2026

Share

Lt. Col. Bernadette Bland of Belvidere, a veteran of two overseas deployments and multiple domestic emergency missions, with her sons, Sgt. Rob Bland and Kevin Bland, after her retirement ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy Auditorium on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill on May 3, 2026.

Share

About a half dozen Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion were greeted by senior leaders after flying into the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, April 14.

Share

The family of Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Dan Johnson, Commander, 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, wife Kristi, and daughters Kaitlyn and Bella, walk through Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield April 14 after his arrival.

Share

Sammye Geer, wife of Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Drew Geer, captures the moment daughters, Gracee, Paislee, and Parker Geer hug their father after his April 14 arrival at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.

Share

Ashley Broaddus, wife of Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jason Turley, greets him during his April 14 arrival at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield.

Share

Capt. Nicholas Limentato is hugged by his girlfriend, Audrey Newlin after his April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport

Share

Adlynn Kirkpatrick, 10, hugs her father, Sgt. 1st Class Mathew Kirkpatrick, after his April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport

Share

Tia Petersen hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Tucker Petersen, after his April 14 return from deployment

Share

Capt. Tucker Petersen talks with his 2-year-old nephew, Wade Petersen, after Capt. Petersen's April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport

Share

Tia Petersen hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Tucker Petersen, after his April 14 return from deployment.

Share

Capt. Tucker Petersen plays with his 2-year-old nephew, Wade Petersen, after Capt. Petersen's April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport

Share

Eleven-year-old Isaac, a friend of Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Tucker Petersen, waits for the captain to arrive at the University of Illinois Willard Airport

Share

Capt. Tucker Petersen talks with his 2-year-old nephew, Wade Petersen, after Capt. Petersen's April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport

Share

Tia Petersen hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Tucker Petersen, after his April 14 return from deployment

Share

Sgt. Colton Peacok conducts bounding drills during “Road to War” training at Marseilles Training Area

Share