Carbondale Reporter

Illinois has a long history of citizen-soldiers, dating back to the early 1700s when local militiamen secured trading routes under French rule. Over the centuries, Illinoisans have participated in key military actions, from joining George Rogers Clark in the Revolutionary War to fighting in major conflicts such as the Civil War and both World Wars.

The Illinois Air National Guard (ANG) was officially established in 1956, though its members had been flying missions for decades prior. Early roles included reconnaissance and observation in support of ground forces. During World War II, Illinois aviators patrolled near the Panama Canal to protect it from submarine threats.

As aviation technology advanced, so did the aircraft operated by the Illinois ANG. The F-84 Thunderstreak was an early jet fighter used by the unit before transitioning to the F-86 Sabre and later to the F-4 Phantom. The 170th Fighter Squadron and 183rd Fighter Wing flew these aircraft until moving on to newer models like the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which remained in service until 2008 when their mission shifted toward repair and maintenance.

Wayne Rosenthal, a former F-4 pilot from Morrisonville who later became a brigadier general and now represents Illinois’ 108th House District, reflected on his experience: “The values of discipline, service and commitment I learned in the Illinois Air National Guard are the foundation of everything I’ve done in life,” Rosenthal said. “Whether in the skies or in the legislature, those principles guide me every day.”

In addition to its combat role, the Illinois ANG has provided logistical support with aircraft such as the C-130H Hercules cargo plane and KC-135R Stratotanker refueling plane. An important milestone came when an Illinois ANG KC-135 became the first National Guard aircraft to refuel another plane mid-air.

The headquarters for the Illinois ANG is at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. There, Heritage Park displays each type of fighter jet flown by guardsmen over nearly seven decades.

Illinois Air National Guardsmen have also responded to domestic emergencies including floods along the Mississippi River and Hurricane Katrina. After September 11, they deployed overseas for humanitarian missions and operations in Afghanistan.

Recently, members participated in multinational exercises focused on securing strategic locations like the Panama Canal and conducted readiness drills for emergency response.

“Service isn’t just something you do; it’s who you are,” Rosenthal said. “The Illinois Air National Guard taught me that, and it’s something I strive to live by every day.”

Severin, a Republican elected to represent Illinois' 116th House District since 2023 after succeeding David Friess, is among current state legislators with ties to military service or public safety backgrounds.

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