13 Oct 2015

Q-C Hosts VFW Big 10 Conference this Weekend

By Jessica Waytenick

Quad Cities - This weekend the Quad Cities is host to 400 attendees of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Big 10 Conference at the Isle Casino Hotel and Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.

This conference brings together VFW members and Ladies Auxiliary members from 10 Midwest states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin).  It is on a 10-year rotation for hosting so Iowa won't have the opportunity again until 2025.

There is a reception on Friday night, sessions all day Saturday, and a banquet Saturday night.

The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the local economic impact is over $290,000.

The Department of Iowa VFW is an organization that supports Veterans and their families with providing a voice to the National VFW to make sure that the Veterans that fought in Wars in the past and the Veterans that will fight in Wars in the future have the benefits and support of a grateful nation.
09 Oct 2015

Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act introduced

By Grassley Press

Senator Grassley is an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation to improve telehealth services for veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs.  "Travel to a VA facility can be a real hardship for some veterans for whom it isn't easy to get to the nearest clinic or hospital that offers the care they need," Grassley said.  "Telehealth can make it less necessary to go to a facility as often and still help veterans get medical treatment."

Ernst, Hirono Introduce VETS Act

Bipartisan legislation to improve health care access and affordability for disabled or rural veterans by expanding VA telehealth services

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), led eight co-sponsors, in introducing the bipartisan Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2015 (VETS Act), legislation to improve health care access for disabled or rural veterans by expanding telehealth services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

As defined by the Department of Health and Human Services telehealth is, "the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration. Technologies include videoconferencing, the internet, store-and-forward imaging, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless communications."

Under current law, the VA may only waive the state license requirement for telehealth services if both the patient and physician are located in a federally owned facility. In addition, the VA may only perform at-home telehealth care when the patient and physician are located in the same state. These barriers are a deterrent for disabled or rural veterans who are seeking treatment from a physician in another state, in some cases forcing veterans to travel great lengths to a federal facility before receiving telehealth services by camera or phone.

The VETS Act would address these deficiencies by allowing qualified VA health professionals to operate across state lines and conduct telehealth services, including mental health care treatment, for veterans from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

Telehealth is one of the VA's major transformational initiatives, and the number of veterans utilizing telehealth services continues to climb. In fact, VA telehealth care grew by 18 percent among veterans in Fiscal Year 2014 and in turn more than 12 percent of veterans received elements of their care through telehealth services. According to the VA, 88 percent of veterans who utilized the VA's telehealth services were satisfied with the care they received. Telehealth services are effective and affordable as veterans save on average $2,000 per year in health care related costs, including travel to a VA medical facility.

"The bipartisan Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act moves us one step closer to achieving more affordable, patient-centered health care that our veterans deserve by embracing telehealth services to offer physician care and health treatment beyond the walls of a VA facility," said Senator Ernst. "Telehealth care is an innovative and important means to meet the wide-ranging needs of veterans in Iowa and nationwide, including the invisible struggles of mental health care."

"Our nation has a moral obligation to provide the best care for all veterans," said Senator Hirono. "This legislation would eliminate the added burden of traveling long distances, or even to different states, in order to see a doctor. The VETS Act will build on a VA telemedicine program that is proven to work and removes barriers to accessing care particularly for veterans in rural areas like Hawaii's Neighbor Islands."

 

Additional cosponsors to the bipartisan VETS Act include : Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), John Boozman (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Tom Udall (D-NM).

The VETS Act is widely endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the American Legion, Concerned Veterans for America, and the American Telemedicine Association.

The companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives was introduced by Congressmen Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Glen Thompson (R-PA).

Click here to read the full text of the VETS Act.

VETS Act:

 

·         Allows VA health professionals to practice telemedicine across state lines if they are qualified and practice within the scope of their authorized federal duties.

 

·         Ensures the VA and Congress provide oversight of the VA's telehealth program by requiring the VA to measure program effectiveness.

 

 

Benefits of VA Telehealth Services in Fiscal Year 2014:

 

·         Provided veterans telehealth care from more than 150 VA Medical Centers and over 750 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

·         More than 12 percent of veterans received elements of their care through telehealth services.

·         More than 717,000 veterans participated in over 2.1 million telehealth care interactions.

·         45 percent of veterans who used telehealth services lived in rural areas.

·         Reduced hospital bed days of care by 54 percent.

·         Reduced hospital admissions by 32 percent.

·         VA telehealth care grew by 18 percent among veterans in Fiscal Year 2014.

·         Patient satisfaction for clinical video telehealth averaged 94 percent.

·         Patient satisfaction for overall home telehealth services averaged 88 percent.

·         Home telehealth services save veterans on average $2,000 per year.

# # #
09 Oct 2015

Smiddy Bill Defines Attacks Against Soldiers and Veterans as Hate Crimes

By Paul Ferrero
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - In response to tragic attacks, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is sponsoring legislation expanding the definition of hate crimes in Illinois to include crimes against  current or former military members.
"The attacks on July 16 in Chattanooga show us that military members are targeted, simply as a result of their service," Smiddy said. "This bill will honor the victims of the attack in Chattanooga by acting as a deterrent for those who would target the men and women who sacrifice just to keep us safe."
Smiddy is cosponsoring House Bill 4308 which designates crimes committed against uniformed members of the Armed Forces or veterans' organizations as potential hate crimes. Under current Illinois law, the 'hate crime' designation is a way to strengthen punishment when crimes are committed against individuals based on their actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin. The measure ensures that specifically trying to harm military personnel can result in increased penalties at the time of sentencing.
"Criminals who target military members who have sacrificed for our nation deserve strict punishment under the law, and this bill will strengthen the penalties they face," Smiddy said. "We have to continue to take steps to ensure veterans, military members and their families are safe here at home."
House Bill 4308 was filed on October 6 and will be sent to a House committee for consideration.
###
21 Sep 2015

Military Retiree Appreciation Day Oct. 24 at Rock Island Arsenal

By Theresa R. Fitzgerald
FORT McCOY, Wis. - A military Retiree Appreciation Day will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. Retirees from all branches of the armed forces and their family members are eligible to attend. The event begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at noon.

Retiree Appreciation Day provides an opportunity for all armed forces retirees, spouses, surviving spouses, and/or guests to receive updated information about retiree entitlement programs.

Photo identification is required for all personnel to access the installation.

Pre-registration is required and must be accomplished by Oct. 15.  The registration form, available online at http://www.mccoy.army.mil/Services/ACAP_Documents/2015_RAD_REGISTER.pdf, contains detailed information about the event. Direct any questions to 563-508-5123.

-30-
21 Sep 2015

Gov. Branstad delivers testimony before the National Commission on the Future of the Army

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Branstad testifies on behalf of the National Governor's Association and The Council of Governors

(ARLINGTON, Va.) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today delivered testimony before the National Commission on the Future of the Army in Arlington, Virginia.

"I encourage you to consider the Army National Guard's capabilities, value, and strategic importance for our states and the nation's security.  As Iowa's Commander-in-Chief, I want to ensure that our National Guard continues to remain an operational force as part of the Total Army, while delivering on the state mission," said Branstad.  "Governors urge this Commission to consider recommendations that will preserve the Army Guard's role as the combat reserve of the Army, resource and equip the Army Guard to meet both federal and state needs, and leverage the Guard's cost-effectiveness and operational capability as part of a Total Army solution for the future.  To do otherwise would risk wasting billions of dollars invested over the past decade in making the Guard an experienced, globally deployable and combat-ready force."

The governor's full testimony, as prepared for delivery, is as follows:

Chairman Ham, Vice Chairman Lamont and distinguished members of the Commission, I am Governor Terry Branstad from Iowa and co-chair of the Council of Governors. I am pleased to join Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to testify on behalf of the National Governors Association, or NGA, and the Council of Governors, or Council.

We have submitted joint written remarks that we ask you to include in the formal record of today's proceedings. In the interest of time, Governor Dayton and I will each make a brief statement to provide you with additional state perspective.

I would like to thank the Commission for this opportunity to provide governors' views on the future of the Army.  We appreciate the Commission's efforts to seek governors' thoughts during your examination of the Army's force structure and aviation restructuring proposals. Governors particularly appreciated the participation of Vice Chairman Lamont and Commissioner Stultz during the NGA Summer Meeting in July.

Through NGA and the Council of Governors, we have made progress working with the Department of Defense to improve coordination and understanding of military issues between states and the federal government.  Since the beginning of the Council of Governors, we have worked with our federal partners to address issues affecting the security of our states and the nation.

As Co-Chair of the Council of Governors since 2011, I have seen firsthand the challenges and struggles that our federal partners have in handling major budget decisions. Governors also face difficult budget decisions.

The need for more robust dialogue led to the 2013 National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force.  I was pleased to see that through a collaborative process, 42 total force recommendations were submitted for consideration.  And the Air Force leadership embraced all but two recommendations.

I'm optimistic that through this Commission's efforts there will be as much progress bringing Army components together as we saw within the Air Force following the Air Force Commission. I encourage you to consider the Army National Guard's capabilities, value, and strategic importance for our states and the nation's security.  As Iowa's Commander-in-Chief, I want to ensure that our National Guard continues to remain an operational force as part of the Total Army, while delivering on the state mission.

I have witnessed many times the critical role that the National Guard plays for our nation.  In the last 13 years, we have mobilized more than 17,000 Iowa National Guardsmen and women for combat and combat support duties in Iraq and Afghanistan, peacekeeping duties in the Balkans and on the Sinai Peninsula, and for other operational missions around the globe.  Approximately 4,000 currently-serving Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are combat veterans, more than 45 percent of our force, the highest percentage in modern history.  And our men and women have operated in more than 35 different nations since 9/11.

In 2006-2007, during the Iraq surge, one of Iowa's infantry battalions was mobilized for over 22 months, making it one of the longest deployments for an Army unit during the Iraq war.  In 2010-2011, Iowa's 2nd Brigade Combat Team deployed in its entirety to Afghanistan, supporting the 101st Airborne Division's mission by conducting full-spectrum operations along the eastern border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Last January, one of Iowa's medical units was alerted to deploy in support of the West Africa Ebola mission, before it was cancelled due to changing demands managing the disease. Since the beginning of Operation Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the Iowa National Guard has met every required operational assignment for deployment and has performed superbly.

While I understand the Army is facing difficult budget challenges, I believe that recent efforts to cut Army Guard force structure and remove the Guard's Apache helicopters is a step backwards and would make lasting, irreversible changes to the Guard.  It would undo years of progress by returning the Army Guard to a pre-9/11 role and fail to leverage its cost-effectiveness in retaining mission capability at home and overseas.

Specifically, the Army's Aviation Restructuring Initiative undermines the Guard's ability to augment the Army as its combat reserve and fails to leverage the National Guard's cost-effectiveness to retain additional manpower, expertise, and attack aircraft at a reduced cost to taxpayers.  I would agree that Apache aircraft have limited application for the homeland mission; however, I value and recognize the broader, long-term importance that strategic depth for the total force provides to states and the nation.

The Army also proposed reducing Army Guard end strength to its lowest level since the Korean War.  National Guard personnel, equipment and capabilities are key resources built into our states' emergency response plans and the federal National Response Framework.  The National Guard also has the unique ability to perform law enforcement functions that have proven valuable in the response to natural disasters, episodes of civil unrest and other national special security events.  These capabilities are enhanced by well-developed relationships with state and county emergency managers and local law enforcement agencies.

The turbulence created by force structure and personnel cuts affects people, readiness, training, equipment and facilities.  This all comes with a cost to implement, which the National Guard Bureau estimates would be about $179 million in its first year.  Funding to cover these costs was not included in the Army's fiscal year 2016 budget.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cuts to Army Guard personnel would save the Army $170 million in its first year - $9 million less than the unfunded implementation costs. When these costs and long-term effects are considered, governors believe it simply does not make sense to implement the Army's proposals.  While some reductions to Army Guard force structure may ultimately be necessary, they should be done through a collaborative approach that considers future needs, limits turbulence, and maintains Guard readiness.

I would like to recommend that the following principles guide your work:

The National Guard must continue to serve as an operational force and the combat reserve for the Total Force;

The National Guard is a highly trained, battle tested asset that should continue to be properly resourced and equipped to meet the needs of both the federal government and states; and

The National Guard's cost-effectiveness should be leveraged to the fullest extent to meet the fiscal and operational challenges confronting the Total Army.

As the Army is forced to evolve in the wake of declining budgets and continuing global instability, I hope this Commission will help bring the Total Army together to address these challenges in partnership.

Governors urge this Commission to consider recommendations that will preserve the Army Guard's role as the combat reserve of the Army, resource and equip the Army Guard to meet both federal and state needs, and leverage the Guard's cost-effectiveness and operational capability as part of a Total Army solution for the future.  To do otherwise would risk wasting billions of dollars invested over the past decade in making the Guard an experienced, globally deployable and combat-ready force.

I will continue to advocate for a strong Guard that is "Always Ready - Always There."  The Commission is an important voice in this endeavor.  On behalf of the State of Iowa, and my fellow governors, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.

 

I look forward to hearing Governor Dayton's perspective and answering any questions you may have.

###

16 Sep 2015

Loebsack Announces More than $3.1 Million to Help Prevent Homelessness Among Iowa Veterans

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that three organizations serving counties in Iowa's Second District will receive a total of $3,108,165.68 in funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through their Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This program aims to improve housing stability for very low-income Veteran families.

"I strongly believe that we need to care for our veterans with the same dignity and honor with which they have served our country," said Loebsack.  "We have a moral responsibility to end homelessness amongst our Veterans and Veteran families, and to help Veterans struggling in these tough economic times. I am pleased these three organizations will receive this funding to continue their important services."

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program grants can be used to offer Veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in getting other public benefits. Community-based groups can offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of Veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.

Details of the grantees are below.

·       Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc. - $280,024.68 Serving Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Counties in Iowa and Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside Counties in Illinois

·       Primary Health Care, Inc. - $1,613,640 Serving Jasper, Dallas, Marshall, Polk, Story and Warren Counties

·       Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc. - $1,214,501 Serving Cedar, Johnson, Washington, Benton, Iowa, Jones, Linn, Washington, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware and  Dubuque Counties

###
15 Sep 2015

USDA and Department of Defense Announce Agriculture Education Effort that will Reach 200,000 Transitioning Military Service Members Each Year

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2015 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and Dr. Susan Kelly, Director of the Department of Defense's Transition to Veterans Program Office, today announced the integration of agriculture into the career training and counseling programs Service members receive as they transition out of the military. Information about USDA resources and programs will now reach 200,000 transitioning Service members every year.

"Rural America disproportionately sends its sons and daughters to serve in the military. When Service members return home, we want them to know that rural America has a place for them -- no matter where they're from," said Deputy Secretary Harden. "This expanded collaboration between USDA and DOD will help to ensure that returning Service members know that there are a wide variety of loans, grants, training and technical assistance for veterans who are passionate about a career in agriculture, no matter their experience level."

"Our transitioning Service members leave the military with a variety of essential skills - including leadership and discipline - that could be directly applied to a career in agriculture," said Dr. Susan S. Kelly, Director of the Department of Defense's Transition to Veterans Program Office. "For those members who are considering farming or ranching as a post-service career, I encourage them to learn more about the opportunities, preferences, and incentives offered by the USDA."

Every year, approximately 200,000 Service members complete the Transition Assistance Program as they prepare for civilian life. This partnership will help to ensure that returning Service members know about the incentives for military veterans in USDA programs, and the many ways USDA can support military veterans and their families, from farm loans to conservation programs to nutrition assistance to rural rental housing and homeownership opportunities. Veterans can also visit www.usda.gov/veterans, a website designed specifically to educate them about USDA programs.

Since 2009, USDA has provided $438 million in farm loans to help more than 6,482 veterans purchase farmland, buy equipment and make repairs and upgrades. Our microloans, which offer smaller amounts of support to meet the needs of small- or niche-type farm operations, have also grown in popularity among veterans. Since it was launched in January 2013, USDA's microloan program has provided more than $22.6 million in support to help 1,083 veterans grow their farming businesses.

Today's announcement reflects USDA's continued commitment to assisting veterans as they start or expand farming and ranching operations, in order to strengthen the American economy and provide livelihoods to our returning veterans. Today, more than 5 million veterans live in rural areas, a higher concentration than in any other part of the country.

Our veterans have incredible stories to share, including:

Veteran Farmers, In Their Own Voice

Planting Seeds for New Careers for our Veterans

Virginia Farmer Balances Family, Farming and Flying with the Air National Guard

Read more stories about veterans in agriculture at http://blogs.usda.gov/tag/veterans/.

#

11 Sep 2015

WQPT Invites Veterans to Share Their Story of Service

By Lora Adams
MOLINE, IL - WQPT, in partnerships with regional media organizations and businesses, is hosting a community-wide effort to collect veteran experiences for inclusion in the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

"Our goal is to capture as many stories as possible to memorialize the experiences of our area's veterans," said Jamie Lange, who has been leading WQPT's Embracing Our Military initiative.

All veterans are invited to share their stories, which will be recorded Friday, Oct. 23 between 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the following locations:

Center for Active Seniors (CASI)
1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
4011 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 102, Moline, IL

Moline Public Library
3210 41st St., Moline, IL

St. Ambrose University
518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA

UnityPoint Health-Trinity
4500 Utica Ridge Rd., Bettendorf, IA

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR
3808 8th Ave., Rock Island, IL

WQPT-Quad Cities PBS at Western Illinois University
3300 River Dr., Moline, IL

Call WQPT at (309) 764-2400 to schedule an appointment at any of the site locations.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

###
04 Sep 2015

The 2015 Adjutant General's rifle and pistol match

By Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/04/2015)(readMedia)-- MARSEILLES, Ill. - Approximately 90 Soldiers from around the state met at the Illinois National Guard Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles, Illinois, to compete in the 2015 The Adjutant General's (TAG) Rifle and Pistol Match, Aug. 21 to 23.

The competition test Soldiers' marksmanship in a variety of events that reflect combat marksmanship tactics and skills. It also tests movement, weapons and target transition using an event similar to national level matches.

Shooters are rated as teams and individuals using the pistol and rifle, evaluated on a combined arms, 3-gun match in which the Soldiers fired the pistol, rifle and shotgun.

The top 20 individual shooters received the Governor's Twenty Tab, which they can wear on their uniforms. The top three teams and individuals of each event received a plaque to display their accomplishments.

Winners of the TAG Match may be selected to join the Illinois National Guard's Marksman Team. The teams must select two new shooters to compete in regional and national events annually.

Results of the 2015 ILARNG TAG Rifle and Pistol Match:

Overall Top Three Individuals:

1. Maj. Jeffery Hicks; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

2. Spc, Ryan Larsen; Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment

3. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jim McKinley; Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

Overall Individual Rifle

1. Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Miller of Custer Park, Illinois; Company D, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment

2. Sgt. Mark Rosenak Company B, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment

3. Spc. Byrce Lind; 1844th Transportation Company

Overall Individual Pistol

1. Maj. Jeffery Hicks; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

2. Matt Homeier of Fairfield, Illinois; 129th Regional Training Institute

3. Spc, Ryan Larsen, Illinois; Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment

Overall Top Three Teams

1 Elements of the 405th Brigade Support Battalion; Maj. Jeffery Hicks; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jim McKinley; Michael Golbert, all with 405th Brigade Support Battalion and John Hunter with Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

2. 1844th Transportation Company; Spc. Jeffery Salois, Staff Sgt. Nicolas Oplawski; Spc. Byrce Lind; Alfred Huston.

3. Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment; Sgt. 1st Class Brad Gregory; Spc. Nicolas Stewart; Spc. Noah Emerson, and Spc. Erasmo Alarcon

Top Pistol Team

1. 1844th Transportation Company; Jeffery Salois, Staff Sgt. Nicolas Oplawski; Byrce Lind; Alfred Huston.

2. Elements of the 405th Brigade Support Battalion; Maj. Jeffery Hicks; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jim McKinley; Michael Golbert, all with 405th Brigade Support Battalion and Staff Sgt. John Hunter with Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

3. Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment; Sgt. 1st Class Brad Gregory; Spc. Nicolas Stewart; Noah Emerson, and Erasmo Alarcon

Top Rifle Team

1. Elements from the 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment; Sgt. Mark Rosenak Company B, 238th; Cody Milliman Company E, 106th; Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Miller of Custer Park, Illinois; Company D; Staff Sgt. Thomas Morgan; Company D, 106th.

2. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade; Sgt. Timothy Morgan; Spc. Alexander Reynolds of Seneca, Illinois; Spc. Calen Lambert; Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Poynter.

3. Elements of the 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion; Cadet Andrew Vasquez with Company C, 766th, Sgt. Tevin Weaver, Company B, 766th; Sgt. Nathan Riddle, Company C, Otto Drobik, Company B,

The Governor's Twenty

1. Maj. Jeffery Hicks; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

2. Spc, Ryan Larsen; Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment

3. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jim McKinley; Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

4. Matt Homeier,129th Regional Training Institute

5. Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Miller of Custer Park, Illinois; Company D, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment

6. Staff Sgt. Brandon Kroll, Company A, 634th Brigade Support Battalion

7. 1st Class Brad Gregory Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment

8. Staff Sgt.Fred Herzfeldt, 108th Multifunctional Medical Battalion

9. Byrce Lind; 1844th Transportation Company.

10. Staff Sgt. Michael Golbert, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

11. Sgt. Mark Rosenak Company B, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment

12 John Hunter with Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion

13. Sgt. 1st Class James Nayonis,129th Regional Training Institute

14. Capt. John McCaskey, Marseilles Training Center, Training Battalion

15. Alfred Huston ; 1844th Transportation Company.

16. Sgt. Timothy Morgan, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade

17. Spc. Alexander Reynolds of Seneca, Illinois, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade

18. Sgt. Alex Aitken, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment

19. Spc. Justin Parks, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

20. First Lt. Emery Taylor Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment

04 Sep 2015

Governor Appoints New Commander of Illinois Air National Guard

By Catherine Kelly

Brig. Gen. Ronald E. Paul will serve as the full-time Illinois Guard Assistant Adjutant General - Air.

 

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, the Commander-in-Chief of the Illinois National Guard, has appointed Brig. Gen. Ronald E. Paul of Springfield, Illinois, to serve as the full-time Assistant Adjutant General - Air upon the retirement of Maj. Gen. William Cobetto of Hillsboro, Illinois.

Brig. Gen. Paul is currently deployed overseas in support of United States Southern Command.  Upon his return, he will be the full-time Commander of the approximately 3,000 Airmen of the Illinois Air National Guard serving under Illinois National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes, who commands both the Illinois Army National Guard and the Illinois Air National Guard.

"For 27 years Ron Paul has led Airmen at home and during contingency operations around the globe," Governor Rauner said. "He has clearly demonstrated his ability to lead and build partnerships across agency lines. He is a combat veteran who has the confidence and trust of his Airmen, his peers and those appointed over him."

Paul graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1988, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs.  He served in the U.S. Air Force in various operational units including in Europe, Tactical Air Command/Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and Pacific Air Forces.  He transitioned into the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Fighter Wing in 2001.

"Brigadier General Paul is the right officer to lead the Illinois Air National Guard as it continues to go from strong to stronger. He has proven his ability to lead and provide the strategic direction for the Illinois Air National Guard as it continuously prepares for both our state and federal missions. I am grateful to have Ron serve alongside me," Hayes said.

Paul has deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Provide Comfort, and Deny Flight.  He was also the senior U.S. Military officer in charge of the initial F-16 aircraft maintenance training in Poland.

Maj. Gen. Cobetto, who has served admirably as the Assistant Adjutant General-Air since December 2011, will retire this fall after more than 30 years of service.

"For three decades, Major General Cobetto has dedicated his life to the Airmen of Illinois Air National Guard and to serving the citizens of Illinois," said Rauner.  "On behalf of all Illinoisans, we extend our deepest appreciation to Major General Cobetto for his service and we wish him abundant success in his future endeavors."

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