Illinois National Guard

Brig. Gen. Jorge M. Fonseca, Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, spoke to members of the American Legion Department of Illinois during the organization’s State Convention in Springfield July 10.

Fonseca thanked Legionnaires for their continued support of Illinois National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, veterans and military families while highlighting the Guard’s ongoing missions at home and abroad. He also emphasized the importance of the longstanding partnership between the Illinois National Guard and the American Legion in supporting those who serve.

(U.S. Army photos by Spc. Davanh Sanamixay, Joint Force Headquarters – Illinois National Guard)

Illinois Army National Guard ‘Quiet Professionals’ Celebrate 108th Birthday

Illinois Army National Guard Warrant Officers marked the 108th birthday of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Cohort, July 9, celebrating more than a century of technical expertise and adaptive leadership that has strengthened America from World War I to modern multidomain operations.

As is tradition, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Thomas Black, the Illinois National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer, was joined by two of the youngest Warrant Officers in the ILARNG Cohort – Warrant Officer 1 Austin Mitchell and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cody Talley as they ceremoniously cut the birthday cake.

Established in 1918, the Army Warrant Officer Corps has evolved from serving as masters, mates, chief engineers, and assistant engineers on mine-planting vessels to become the Army's premier technical experts across all domains of Army operations.

The Army defines warrant officers as self-aware and adaptive technical experts, combat leaders, trainers, and advisors who administer, manage, maintain, operate, and integrate Army systems and equipment across the full range of military operations.

As thousands gathered along the Illinois River to celebrate Independence Day, one Illinois Air National Guardsman had the honor of leading the crowd in a tradition that brings Americans together.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jose Lagunas, an emergency management specialist with the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, performed the national anthem during Peoria’s Red, White and Boom celebration on July 4 before the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing conducted a C-130H Hercules flyover.

📸: U.S. Air National Guard photos by Tech. Sgt. Katherine Jacobus