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Remember Illinois Air National Guardsmen on Sept. 18

  • Published
  • By Maj. Gen. William Enyart
  • Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  On Sept. 18, 1947 the United States Air Force became a separate branch of the military.

The Illinois Air National Guard has a long and proud history as part of the Air Force. Two of its wings, the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield and 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, were formed as part of the Army Air Corps prior to the Air Force becoming its own branch. The third Illinois Air National Guard wing, the 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, will celebrate its 60th birthday this year.

The Air Force birthday is the ideal time to celebrate the heritage and the people who have made and continue to make its legacy. Since 2002, more than 8,800 Illinois National Guard Airmen have deployed in support of operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

In the past year the Illinois Air National Guard wings have accomplished truly remarkable missions. Between them they have supported Haiti earthquake relief, Pakistan monsoon flooding, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, supported homeland security missions and multiple deployments around the world. They have provided a beacon of hope for people everywhere.

We will also never forget those Airmen who have fallen in the line of duty. Since OIF/OEF, the Illinois Air National Guard has lost one Airman, Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier of St. Charles, Ill. Today and every day we remember the loss of Jacob and his brothers and sisters across all services who have also made the ultimate sacrifice.

Take time on Sept. 18 to remember and recognize the tremendous contributions of our Illinois Air National Guardsmen. Also, take time to remember the sacrifices that Airmen and their families make every day for this great nation. For that, I am honored to be serving with the great men and women of the Illinois Air National Guard.