Photos

Col. Donald "DK" Carpenter was selected as the new Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection for the Air National Guard. With this selection, Carpenter will be promoted to brigadier general.

Illinois Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Mark Jackson of Frankfort, Illinois, has been selected as the Deputy Commanding General of Operations for First Army and will be promoted to Major General.

Illinois Air National Guard Capt. Jennifer Weitekamp poses next to the Women in the Air Force exhibit honoring her accomplishment at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force March 5.

Illinois Air National Guard Capt. Jennifer Weitekamp poses for a photo next to the Women in the Air Force exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force March 5.

Illinois National Guard State Chaplain (Col.) Steve Foster, of Riverton, Illinois, presents newly commissioned Illinois Army National Guard Jewish Chaplain (Capt.) Aaron Melman, of Northbrook, Illinois, with the Chaplain’s Stole during a ceremony March 17 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Rabbi Aaron Melman, of Northbrook, Illinois, recites the oath of commissioning as a captain in the Illinois Army National Guard administered by Chaplain (Col.) Stephen Foster, of Riverton, Illinois, Illinois National Guard State Chaplain, during a ceremony March 17 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Newly commissioned Illinois Army National Guard Chaplain (Capt.) Aaron Melman, of Northbrook, Illinois, offers thanks to family and friends attending virtually for their support during his commissioning ceremony at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, March 17.

William Hills, of Freeport, Illinois, shows the U.S. flag and certificate presented to him by Illinois National Guard Lt. Col. Eric Smith, of Springfield, Illinois, Deputy G4, Illinois Army National Guard, to his family on a Facetime call on Hills’ 97th birthday Jan. 29.

Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes, Commander, 10th Mountain Division, provided a certificate wishing William Hills of Freeport, Illinois, a 97th birthday Jan. 29.

William Hills of Freeport, Illinois, shows off the U.S. flag and certificate presented by Lt. Col. Eric Smith of Springfield, Illinois, in honor of Hills’ 97th birthday Jan. 29.

Newly promoted Col. Eric Davis, of Mount Pulaski, Illinois, addresses friends and family during his promotion ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois Dec. 29.

Newly promoted Col. Eric Davis’ wife, Bonnie, places his new rank on during a promotion ceremony Dec. 29 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Davis, who has served in the military for 33 years, is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Operations and Training for the Illinois Army National Guard.

Newly promoted Col. Ronald W. Bonesz, of Normal, Illinois, addresses friends and family during his promotion ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois Feb. 26.

Newly promoted Col. Ronald W. Bonesz, of Normal, Illinois, recites the oath of commissioned officers administered by Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, of Chatham, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Illinois National Guard, and Commander, Illinois Army National Guard.

Newly promoted Col. Ronald W. Bonesz’s daughter, Melanie (left), son Lucas (standing) and wife, Blair, place his new rank on during a promotion ceremony Feb. 26 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, of Chatham, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, congratulates newly promoted Col. Ronald W. Bonesz, of Normal, Illinois, on his promotion in the Illinois Army National Guard Feb. 26 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

The Illinois Army National Guard Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) A25 stand alongside the Polish military contingent during the ILARNG BEST decommissioning ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Soldiers deployed with BEST A25 returned home Dec. 24.

1st Lt. Kurt Kuzur, of Tinley Park, Illinois and Master Sgt. Adam Abdul, of Collinsville, Illinois, fold the U.S. flag during the Illinois Army National Guard Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A25 decommissioning ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Jason Osberg, of Champaign, Illinois, Commander Bilateral Embedded Support Team A25, and Master Sgt. Adam Abdul, of Collinsville, Illinois, prepare to case the BEST A colors during the decommissioning ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

The Illinois Army National Guard Bilateral Embedded Support Team A25 render honors to members of the Polish military contingent during the ILARNG BEST decommissioning ceremony.