Lt. Col. Aaron A. Hepner delivers remarks following the pinning of his new lieutenant colonel rank during his promotion ceremony
Lt. Col. Aaron A. Hepner shakes hands with Col. Jason Carter, commander of the 65th Troop Command
Five-year-old Arlo Hepner, the son of Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Aaron A. Hepner pins his father’s new lieutenant colonel rank onto his uniform as Hepner’s wife, Jennifer, hold their other son, 1-year-old Theo
Family members of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn accept flowers of appreciation during his retirement ceremony at the Crestwood Armory
Illinois Army National Guard recruiters assigned to Foxtrot Company, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard, celebrate an outstanding career during the retirement ceremony for Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn
1st Class David Quinn stands alongside his spouse, Demetrie Quinn, as she displays her Certificate of Appreciation during his retirement ceremony
Illinois Army National Guard recruiters assigned to Foxtrot Company, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard, stand at parade rest during the retirement ceremony for Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn
Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn, left, receives the Meritorious Service Medal
Soldiers of the 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard, stand for the playing of the National Anthem
Maj. Micah Bennet, team leader for logistics company advisor team (LCAT) 6640, 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard, speaks during at the welcome home ceremony
Family, friends and Soldiers of the 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard, sit and listen to the welcome home ceremony
Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard socialize after the conclusion of the welcome home ceremony
Maj. Thomas Kadela, team leader for medical advisor team (MEDAT) 6630, 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard, tells a joke during his speech at the welcome home ceremony
Lt. Col. Matthew Kreiter, executive officer of 34th Division Sustainment Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard, gives some remarks during the welcome home ceremony
Maj. A.J. Peskuski, Commander of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, recites the oath of office during his promotion ceremony at General Jones Armory in Chicago.
A UH-60 approaches a casualty pickup point during a joint medical evacuation training event with U.S. Army Soldiers from the 709th Medical Company (Area Support), Illinois Army National and members of the Malaysian army's 5th Infantry Division.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hoists a simulated casualty during a joint medical evacuation training event between the 709th Medical Company (Area Support), Illinois Army National Guard, and the Malaysian Army's 5th Infantry Division.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hoists a simulated casualty during a joint medical evacuation training event between the 709th Medical Company (Area Support), Illinois Army National Guard, and the Malaysian Army's 5th Infantry Division.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anita Neuhas shows how to prevent blood from clotting during blood transfusions to Malaysian Army soldiers.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anita Neuhas trains members of the Malaysian Army and Guam Army National Guard on mobile blood bank operations during Exercise Keris Strike near Kota Belud, Malaysia, July 17, 2026.
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Check out the Illinois National Guard's latest publication, the Illinois National Guard Prairie Sentinel! Inside you'll find news and photos from around the ILNG! Click below to check it out!Prairie Sentinel Link

Family members of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn accept flowers of appreciation during his retirement ceremony at the Crestwood Armory in Crestwood, Illinois, Aug. 10, 2026. The gesture acknowledged the sacrifices and vital support provided by the family during Quinn's service. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kristel Cordero, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Illinois Army National Guard)
Quinn Honored for Nearly 3 Decades of Service and ‘Creating a Family’ of Soldiers
By Spc. Kristel Cordero | Aug. 19, 2026
The Illinois Army National Guard honored Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn for 28 years of military service during his retirement ceremony Aug. 10, at the Crestwood Armory...
Soldiers of the 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard, stand for the playing of the National Anthem during the welcome home ceremony at the Heritage Hall in the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois on August 9, 2026. The ceremony was to celebrate the return of Medical Advisor Team 6630 from their deployment to Iraq and Logistics Company Advisor Team 6640 from their deployment to Djibouti.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gerardo A. Valdes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)
Two Illinois Army National Guard Teams Built Partner Capacity in Strategic Regions
By | Aug. 18, 2026
Soldiers from the 6th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade have returned to the United States following historic, high-impact deployments across two distinct combatant commands. From June 2025 through early 2026,...
Maj. A.J. Peskuski, Commander of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, recites the oath of office during his promotion ceremony at General Jones Armory in Chicago, July 19, 2026. Promotion to the rank of major marks the transition from company-grade to field-grade officer, carrying increased leadership and organizational responsibilities. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Ervin, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
Already a Coach, Artist, and ‘Brady Bunch’ Dad – Army Officer is Now a Major
By Spc. Kristel Cordero | July 21, 2026
A.J. Peskuski has many roles in his busy life – father, husband, coach, artist, and businessman. Now he has another - U.S. Army field-grade officer.The Illinois Army National Guard promoted A.J. Peskuski of Wheaton, Ill., to...
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anita Neuhas with the 709th Medical Company Area Support, Illinois National Guard, shows how to prevent blood from clotting during blood transfusions to Malaysian Army soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Medical Battalion and Soldiers from the Guam National Guard during Exercise Keris Strike 26 near Kota Belud, Malaysia, July 17, 2026. The training provided U.S. and partner forces hands-on experience with mobile blood field-deployable systems used to store and transport blood products to deliver lifesaving care in austere combat environments. Keris Strike builds readiness and interoperability among Malaysian, Australian and American forces through realistic training that showcases the U.S. Army’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicholas Bushey, 204th PAD) #kerisstrike
U.S. and Malaysian soldiers conduct joint walking blood bank training
By Sgt. Nicholas Bushey | July 21, 2026
During Exercise Keris Strike 26, soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 709th Medical Company Support Area led a walking blood bank training event near Kota Belud in Sabah, Malaysia, on July 17, 2026. The session...
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 1 in Kankakee, thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support during a retirement ceremony July 16 at AASF 2 in Decatur. Stevens is retiring from the Illinois National Guard after 42 years of service. (U.S. Army photo by Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)
‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service
By | July 17, 2026
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens’ 42 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard was celebrated during a retirement ceremony July 16 at the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 2, Decatur.‘The Godfather’ as...
Capt. Jonathan Mercado, right, Commander, Detachment 2, Company G, 1-111th General Aviation Support Battalion, and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Panatera, acting first sergeant, case the unit's guidon during a ceremony July 12 at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Kankakee. The unit's distinguished history includes a 2015 deployment to Kuwait where Soldiers performed 14 medical evacuation missions under day and night vision conditions, executed more than 1, 200 flight hours, and performed numerous training missions with Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines throughout the Kuwait area of responsibility.
Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors
By | July 17, 2026
On Oct. 1, 2012 then-Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), more commonly known as “DUSTOFF” started writing its own history chapter as part of the Illinois Army...
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Freedom 250 - Today in History

July 6, 1886: Camp Lincoln in Springfield was established as the headquarters of the Illinois State Militia, today’s Illinois National Guard.

 

CLICK HERE for Illinois Department of Military Affairs - 2025 ANNUAL REPORT