Army
GalleryIllinois National Guard soldiers return to Peoria and Rockford after 10-month deployment to the Middle East
Stars and Stripes
April 16, 2025
1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Butte stands in front of the formation as Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers prepare to reunite with their families at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard returned to the bases at Peoria and Rockford in Illinois after a 10-month deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Families and friends reunited with their soldiers during homecoming ceremonies on April 11 at the Illinois National Guard Armory in Rockford, and April 12 at Peoria Air National Guard Base.
“I want to thank the families for being here today to welcome back these great warriors,” said Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois, and Commander of the Illinois National Guard. “Without your support they can’t do what we ask of them.”
Approximately 550 Illinois Army National Guard soldiers from 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment and Company B, 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion deployed to 17 locations across seven countries. Most of the soldiers were based in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, according to a service news release.
On Tuesday, approximately 15 soldiers from the 1886th Engineer Facilities Detachment from Springfield, Ill., were mobilized to deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The 15-member team is expected to provide environmental reporting, short and long-range facility work plans, and Department of Public Works level facility management in support of U.S. Central Command.
Isabelle Mitchell greets Illinois Army National Guard 1st Lt. Alexander Boudabbous of B Co., 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after after he returned home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Families celebrate seeing their soldiers for the first time in 10 months Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers prepare to reunite with them at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Stephon McClain, a U.S. Army combat engineer, hugs his sister, Olivia McClain, after reuniting with his family at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Families celebrate seeing their soldiers for the first time in 10 months Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers prepare to reunite with them at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Families celebrate seeing their soldiers for the first time in 10 months as Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers prepare to re-unite with them at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
The family of Sgt. Dante Galeana celebrates seeing him for the first time in 10 months as Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers prepare to re-unite with their families at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Becky Shearer touches the cheek of her son, 1st Sgt. Marshall Shearer after reuniting with him after the welcome home ceremony at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill. Shearer returned home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers disembark the airplane at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
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Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Luke Purcell, a combat engineer with Company B, 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion smiles as he and other Soldiers prepare to reunite with their families at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)
Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers prepare to reunite with their families at the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., after returning home from deployment April 12, 2025. (Bradford Leighton/Illinois Army National Guard)