Illinois National Guard

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.

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.

Malaysian Army soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Medical Battalion, check a correctly filled blood bag during a mobile blood bank training workshop.

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.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Brig Gen. Lenny Williams, left, Assistant Adjutant General – Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, presents a certificate of retirement to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 1 in Kankakee, during a retirement ceremony July 16 at AASF 2 in Decatur.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Kankakee, is greeted by his family, including wife, Lynette, and daughters Hanna Stevens and Maggie Dhami, following Stevens’ final flight as an Army Aviator July 16 in the Illinois Army National Guard.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, right, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Kankakee, is joined by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wentworth, Illinois Army National Guard Instructor Pilot, on Stevens’ final flight July 16 as an Army Aviator in the Illinois Army National Guard.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Staff Sgt. Daniel Davis, the custodian of the colors of Detachment 2, Company G, 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion, lowers the unit's guidon, allowing Capt. Jonathan Mercado, commander, and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Panatera, detachment noncommissioned officer in charge, to case it. The 'casing' signifies the retiring of the MEDEVAC's colors.

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

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.

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks has been selected as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for Illinois.

Jason M. Benhart is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard.

John Sanders, from a crayon portrait in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. George Rogers Clark’s men caught Sanders who was hunting ducks near Vincennes, Indiana. They took him prisoner, interrogated him for information, and sent him into town with a note for the residents.

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

George Rogers Clark, from a portrait painted by John Wesley Jarvis in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. As the American Revolutionary War intensified, Clark sought approval of a plan from Virginia’s Governor, Patrick Henry, to capture the British-held settlements of Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes in the Illinois Territory.

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

Historical markers dotted in Kaskaskia, Cahokia Heights, Vincennes and Rock Island tell the stories and mark the locations of the westernmost events of the American Revolution as well as other early events involving the Illinois militia. (Graphic by Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Velazquez, then serving in the Illinois Air National Guard, poses during her graduation ceremony at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Velazquez earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on leadership, psychology and sociology, a milestone that helped inspire her pursuit of a Master of Social Work degree and a future career supporting veterans and underserved communities.

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work

Then-Senior Airman Rebecca Velazquez receives recognition during her early years in the U.S. Air Force. Velazquez began her military career seeking adventure and opportunity, ultimately serving 27 years and retiring as the 183d Wing Command Chief, Illinois Air National Guard, before pursuing a new mission in mental health social work. (Courtesy photo)

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work

The Employment Assistance Program (EAP) is open to all Title 5 and Title 32 Employees. Click Here for more information.

Photos

News

Specialized Illinois National Guard Unit Mobilizes for Afghanistan

Find a Job

Algonquin, Normal Soldiers claim Best Warrior titles [Image 2 of 4]

Volunteer to Deploy

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.

Join the ILARNG

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.

Join the ILANG

Current M-Day Offerings

Illinois National Guard Soldiers moving sandbags to build a levee

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...

‘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...

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...

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks has been selected as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for Illinois. Hicks, a native of Springfield, Illinois, has more than 23 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard. As the USPFO, Col. Hicks will work directly for the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. In this capacity, Col. Hicks is responsible for receiving, accounting for, and safeguarding all federal funds and property provided to the Illinois National Guard. Operating in this vital role, he ensures federal resources are properly managed and allocated to maintain the readiness of the state's National Guard units for both state and federal missions.

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks Appointed as United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois

By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | July 10, 2026

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, has announced the appointment of Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for...

Concert Flyer for 3 scheduled 144th Army Band concerts for Independence Day weekend.

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day

By | July 1, 2026

The Illinois National Guard's 144th Army Band will perform three concerts to celebrate Independence Day in three communities across the state...

Facebook
Twitter

Tweets by IL_Natl_Guard

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