Photos

Soldiers from the Illinois National Guard stack to prepare to breach a structure during the live fire exercise for Rising Thunder 19.

Capt. Jordan Legris, commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, briefs members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force prior to the kick-off of the live fire exercise during Rising Thunder 19.

Troops from the Illinois National Guard prepare to depart on a live fire exercise during Rising Thunder 19.

Pfc. Kyle Brennan poses with a member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense during Rising Thunder 19.

Spc. James Tyler Short, a combat medic with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, surveys the digital multipurpose range complex during Rising Thunder 19 at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington

Sgt. First Class Brian Jackson from the 1844th Transportation Company uses a "halt" hand signal as his recovery vehicle's towbar lines up with the humvee during a training lane in Rising Thunder 2019.

Soldiers from the 1844th Transportation Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade, and medics from the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, both part of the Illinois Army National Guard, face a chemical attack and small arms fire engagement during their morning base defense.

Maintenance Soldiers from the 1844th Transportation Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade work on attaching the recovery vehicle's towbar to a downed truck.

Aircraft with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade provide support to the Illinois Army National Guard during Rising Thunder 19 in Yakima, Wash., Sept. 7, 2019.

Sgt. Brett Montgomery from the 1844th Transportation Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade, pulls security while the maintenance crew hooks up a downed humvee to their recovery vehicle.

A sniper team from Illinois National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment sniper team aims to fire during Rising Thunder 19.

Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Regiment sniper teams receives some pointers from a member of the sniper team from the Illinois National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment during Rising Thunder 19.

Staff Sgt. Buddy Seibert, of Vergennes, Illinois, a forward observer with the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment, attached to 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, surveys the artillery assault course during Rising Thunder 19 at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington, Sept. 3.

2nd Lt. Andrew Shinsako, platoon leader for Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment provides feedback to his troops after a blank fire interation during Rising Thunder 19.

Soldiers lay in the ready position during Rising Thunder 19.

Maj. Elizabeth Roxworthy speaks during the dedication ceremony of the Sgt. Simone A. Robinson Women Veteran’s Center on Sept. 7

Jeannie Adams, National Women Veterans United Treasurer, presents gifts to Sgt. Simone A. Robinson’s mother and daughter during the dedication ceremony of the Sgt. Simone A. Robinson Women Veteran’s Center on Sept. 7

Immediate and extended members of the Robinson family listen to keynote speakers during the dedication ceremony of the Sgt. Simone A. Robinson Women Veteran’s Center on Sept. 7

Linda Chapa LaVia, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, speaks during the dedication ceremony of the Sgt. Simone A. Robinson Women Veteran’s Center on Sept. 7

Members of National Women Veterans United present the colors at the dedication ceremony for the Sgt. Simone A. Robinson Women Veteran’s Center on Sept. 7