Upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38 years in uniform.

To the Members of the Illinois National Guard and their Families,

It is with a mixture of gratitude and respect that I announce the upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General - Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38 years in uniform. We celebrate his extraordinary career and thank him for his decades of dedicated service to our state and nation.

Major General McDonough's career has been nothing short of remarkable. A Command Pilot, Instructor, and Evaluator, he amassed over 5,600 flight hours, with nearly 700 in combat and combat support roles. His leadership was forged in the skies and proven through five deployments as a C-130 aircraft commander during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He commanded the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron on four separate occasions at Bagram Air Base, demonstrating his exceptional courage and leadership under the most demanding circumstances.

As commander of the Illinois Air National Guard since June 2022, Major General McDonough has been responsible for the mission readiness of more than 3,000 Airmen across three major air bases. He has supervised a full-time force of over 900 federal and state employees, ensuring our Guard remains a premier, ready force. Under his leadership, the Illinois Air National Guard has seen significant advancements.

The 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, already known for its consistently high C-130 mission capability rates, was selected for a significant upgrade to the new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a move that will solidify its flying mission for years to come.

The wing has also embraced a new, vital role with the establishment of a Contingency Response Group, a rapid deployment unit ready to open airfields for a variety of critical missions.

The 183rd Wing in Springfield cut the ribbon this year on a new 24,000-square-foot Base Civil Engineer Complex in September, a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance the training and readiness of its engineers.

The wing's cyber mission has also been elevated with the redesignation of its communications flight to a larger squadron, and the wing is poised for further expansion in the critical cyber domain with a modern Joint Cyber Range.

The 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base recently demonstrated its global reach and commitment to our allies by deploying to Poland for Operation Copper Arrow.

In a historic first for the Illinois National Guard's partnership with Poland, the 126th provided nighttime aerial refueling for the Polish Air Force and became the dedicated tanker wing to train Polish F-35 fighter pilots.

In a nod to its own distinguished history, the wing also honored its D-Day heritage by painting one of its KC-135R Stratotankers with Normandy invasion stripes.
Major General McDonough's leadership has cultivated a culture of excellence and readiness that will be his enduring legacy. He leaves the Illinois Air National Guard stronger and more capable than ever before.

Please join me in congratulating Major General McDonough on a magnificent career and wishing him, his wife Cindy, and their family all the best in his well-deserved retirement. His contributions to the Illinois National Guard and our nation will not be forgotten.