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.

Pfc. Nathan Johnson of Arlington Heights, Illinois, was named the Illinois Army National Guard's "Soldier of the Year" at the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition from April 12-14 at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta, Illinois.

Share

Sgt. Brandon Elliot of Springfield, Illinois, represented the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and was a runner-up at the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition from April 12-14 at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta, Illinois.

Share

Pfc. Nathan Johnson of Arlington Heights, Illinois, was named the Illinois Army National Guard's "Soldier of the Year" at the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition from April 12-14 at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta, Illinois.

Share

Spc. Mark Meyers of Woodstock, Illinois, represented the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade at the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition from April 12-14 at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta, Illinois.

Share

Pfc. Nathan Johnson of Arlington Heights, Illinois, was named the Illinois Army National Guard's "Soldier of the Year" at the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition from April 12-14 at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta, Illinois.

Share

Sgt. Terry Lair of Pekin, Illinois, was named the Illinois Army National Guard's "Noncommissioned Officer of the Year" at the Illinois Army National Guard's Best Warrior Competition from April 12-14 at the Sparta Training Area in Sparta, Illinois.

Share

Lt. Col. Jason Celletti, second from right, Commander, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Stickelmaier, right, the Command Sergeant Major for 1/106th Aviation, present Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, left, The Adjutant General of Illinois, and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Kehinde Salami, Senior Enlisted Leader, Illinois National Guard, with the Illinois state flag which was carried on the unit’s deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Share

Lt. Col. Jason Celletti, Commander, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, outlines the unit’s accomplishments during the year-long deployment to the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. Approximately 195 Soldiers were officially welcomed home during a ceremony in Bloomington, April 13.

Share

Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, The Adjutant General of Illinois, and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, welcomes home Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, based in Peoria, and Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion, based in Kanakee, during a ceremony April 13 in Bloomington.

Share

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, based in Peoria, and Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion, based in Kanakee, salute during a welcome home ceremony April 13 in Bloomington.

Share

Newly promoted U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, of Plymouth, Michigan, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard, thanks family and friends for their support throughout his 35-year career during a promotion ceremony April 6 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Newly promoted U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, of Plymouth, Michigan, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard, and his partner, Mary Gollan, unfurl Eastridge’s general officer flag during a promotion ceremony April 6 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Newly promoted U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, of Plymouth, Michigan, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard, is administered the oath of office during a promotion ceremony April 6 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Rachel and Megan Eastridge, daughters of newly promoted U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, of Plymouth, Michigan, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Illinois Army National Guard, pins on general officer rank during a promotion ceremony April 6 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Illinois Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kira Tierney of Middletown, the commander of the 183rd Force Support Squadron based in Springfield, and retired Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rachelle McKay of Hartselle, Alabama have run six marathons, roughly 160 miles.

Share

Illinois Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kira Tierney of Middletown, the commander of the 183rd Force Support Squadron based in Springfield, and retired Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rachelle McKay of Hartselle, Alabama have run six marathons, roughly 160 miles.

Share

Illinois Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kira Tierney of Middletown, the commander of the 183rd Force Support Squadron based in Springfield, and retired Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rachelle McKay of Hartselle, Alabama have run six marathons, roughly 160 miles.

Share

Lt. Col. Wyatt Bickett, of Smithton, officer-in-charge of the 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support throughout his 23 years of military service.

Share

Lt. Col. Wyatt Bickett, of Smithton, officer in charge of the 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) is presented a certificate of retirement by Col. Randy Edwards, Chief of Staff, Illinois Army National Guard.

Share

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Caceres, of Petersburg, thanks friends, family, and fellow Soldiers, for their support during his 30 years of service in the military during a joint retirement ceremony March 23 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

Share