Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers from the 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion had a great time showing some of their equipment to Civil Air Patrol cadets at Marseilles Training Area on July 16. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Odum, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

The National Guard Bureau and the U.S. Department of Defense has announced the establishment of a State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese Armed Forces. #Portugal #Illinois #SPP #StatePartnershipProgram dvidshub.net/news/543288/il…

Today is National Hire a Veteran Day. It seems like a good day to thank our civilian employers and to give a shout out to ESGR Illinois. Photo is from the 182nd Airlift Wing Bosslift in May taken by by Staff Sgt. Katherine Jacobus. #ESGR

Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, said at the Civil Air Patrol graduation July 19 at Marseilles. “One day you’ll look back on this week and recognize it as a defining moment, one that shaped your character and your future." #CAP

Congratulations to the Illinois Army National Guard's newest colonel - Col. Jeffrey Hicks, the Deputy U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer, Illinois Army National Guard. Hicks was promoted to colonel in a ceremony July 18 at the Illinois State Military Museum.

Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, Illinois National Guard Joint Staff Director met with the Frank Velez, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) Executive Director and OEMC’s Chief of Staff Anna Statham on July 24 to strengthen interagency coordination.

Meet Richard the Rooster, the 4-foot fowl mascot of the 709th Medical Company Area Support. Richard may look a rough, but unit members assure us that he’s a tough old bird. Richard has been with the unit through flood duty, COVID-19 response, ATs and deployment in CENTCOM.

The Illinois Army National Guard's 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element returned home on Aug. 2, after supporting USSOC Africa for six months. The small unit was divided into two teams during the deployment.

Today we honor those wounded in battle, recipients of the Purple Heart. defense.gov/News/News-Stor…

On July 28, the Illinois Department of Military Affairs team joined the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability's in Springfield. Representatives manned exhibit tables alongside other state agencies to highlight the mission of the Department of Military Affairs.

The Land of Lincoln Chapter of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) bestowed the Order of Saint Michael upon Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Charles Auer. This recognizes Maj. Auer as one of Army Aviation’s best and marks a resurgence in chapter activity.

Aug. 8, 2003, IL Army National Guard Spc. Brandon Ramsey of Calumet City died in Iraq while performing convoy security in pursuit of a suspicious vehicle. Spc. Ramsey was part of 933d MP Co. of Chicago. Our thoughts are with Ramsey’s family and friends as they remember him today.

Congratulations to the Illinois Army National Guard's Col. Michael Kowalski of Elmhurst, Ill., and Lt. Col. Bradley Roach of Bloomington, Ill., both of whom graduated from the U.S. Army War College in July.

The Illinois Guard's Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, is working in his dual-hatted position as Deputy Commanding General of Army South at Exercise Southern Vanguard 25 in Chile. (Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn and Spc. Rosa Ibarra.)

A shout-out to the Guard's 5th Civil Support Team! They are at major events, including the Illinois State Fair, to support civil authorities in the event of an incident involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents. U.S. Army photos by Spc. Mallory Sinkhorn.

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Illinois Adjutant General met with Portuguese military officials and the U.S. Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Douglas A. Koneff in Portugal last month to help kick off the State Partnership Program between the Illinois National Guard and Portugal.

"When your buddy is spiraling out of control and your efforts fall short it is time to ask for help. That is being loyal." STEVE A. FOSTER Chaplain (COL) IL ARNG Senior Army Chaplain

Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough, the Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard, met with the new Polish President Karol Nawrocki during Polish Armed Forces Day. They discussed the 32-year success of the Illinois National Guard's State Partnership Program with the Polish military.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa recently conducted a Transfer of Authority Ceremony with the Georgia Army National Guard's 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion transferring authority to the Illinois Army National Guard's 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

The Illinois National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomed new Commander, Col. Michael Kowalski, and thanked outgoing Commander, Col. Seth Hible, during a Change of Command, Aug. 17. Hible received the Legion of Merit. (Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Kate Grandori.)