183d Wing

05/29/2026

Colonel Shawn Strahle, Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard's 183d Wing, served as keynote speaker at the Jacksonville Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony.

Colonel Strahle covered the history of Memorial Day and its Illinois roots. He delivered a powerful message about the sacrifice of our country's fallen, as well as the sacrifice made by the Gold Star families who bear the brunt of those sacrifices made on behalf of our freedoms.

Remember the fallen and remember their families.

05/06/2026

183d Wing Hosts Illinois National Guard Joint Public Affairs Conference

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Public affairs personnel from across the Illinois National Guard gathered for a one-day training conference at the 183d Wing in Springfield, IL, focused on strengthening communication strategies in an increasingly fast-paced and complex information environment. The conference brought together Air and Army National Guard members to explore the evolving role of military communicators and the importance of maintaining public trust through accurate and timely storytelling.

Addressing attendees, Brig. Gen. Leonard A. Williams, Illinois Assistant Adjutant General - Army, spoke about the importance of storytelling as a means to help the public better understand the work of the Guard. Throughout his military career Williams has come across stories of resilience, dedication, and commitment that inspires both the military and public to reach for more.

Williams spoke about the opportunities that the National Guard provides, noting they often remain unknown to the public without compelling stories that inspire individuals to serve. He emphasized that public affairs members play a critical role in sharing those stories to inform the public and support recruiting efforts.

Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Director Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton spoke to the group about the unique skills that Guardsmen bring to the communications table. Guardsmen who serve one weekend per month, known as traditional guardsmen, bring skills from their civilian careers into military service, which strengthens public affairs capabilities. Some work in media-related fields, while others come from entirely different professions. This mix of skills creates a diverse range of experience that enhances the effectiveness of military communications.

The conference also included a discussion with National Public Radio reporter Tom Bowman, who shared insights from his experience embedded with U.S. troops in the Middle East during the Global War on Terrorism. Bowman discussed the challenges of conducting interviews in high-pressure environments and the importance of building trust to capture authentic perspectives.

Attendees learned about how emerging trends are shaping the information environment, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital media platforms. Attendees explored how these technologies are changing the way information is created and distributed.

The event underscored the Illinois National Guard’s ongoing efforts to invest in professional development and ensure its communicators remain effective in an ever-changing media landscape. (U.S. Air National Guard story by Staff Sgt. Paul Lauricella)

Illinois National Guard
182nd Airlift Wing
126th Air Refueling Wing
65 Troop Command Brigade

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Col. Matthew Cain on his promotion to Colonel!

Cain is currently the Commander of the 183d Air Mobility Operations Squadron, 183d Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, in Springfield, IL. With his promotion to colonel, he will replace Col. David Keck as the commander of the 183d Air Operations Group.

Col. Cain is a command pilot with over 3800 flight hours, including more than 650 combat hours. He has 29 years of honorable service.

04/29/2026

The MAY podcast is up! check it out!

05 MAY 20260429 183d Wing Podcast

04/22/2026

183d Wing, Springfield, IL – The 183d Comptroller Flight, 183d Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, was recognized as the Air National Guard Financial Operations Office of the Year for fiscal year 2025 due to excellence in travel processing speed, military pay processing, quality assurance processes, critical upgrade training completion and personnel development.

“This recognition really belongs to the entire team. Their dedication, professionalism, and teamwork are what made this possible,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kathryn Lane, the superintendent of the 183d Comptroller Flight.

Through the development of custom processing and tracking software, the 183d Comptroller Flight increased their speed of production by 56% and expanded the contribution of vital funds toward mission-critical priorities. This allowed the team to improve the timeliness of military pay processing by over 94%, dramatically enhancing accuracy and financial readiness for 183d Airmen.

The 183d Comptroller flight also safeguarded 1,747 taxpayer-funded hours and reinforced fiduciary compliance across the Illinois Air National Guard for the Civilian Pay Program while further implementing a semi-annual dual compensation audit to establish ongoing oversight.

In addition, the team processed over 150 reimbursement requests through the Wing’s Cooperative Agreement, their substantial return strengthening state resources and underscoring the wing’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

The flight did all of this while facing readiness challenges with several new team members, which required actively managing and executing annual training and personal development plans. Three members completed critical upgrade training led by the flight, which bolstered unit readiness and enhanced the flight’s capability to fill potential deployment taskings.

“This award represents the effort, resilience and collaboration of the 183d Comptroller Flight,” said Lane.

The Air National Guard Financial Operations Office of the Year award reflects the 183d Comptroller Flight’s achievements in improving processes and developing Airmen, ensuring the unit remains mission-ready and fully capable of meeting evolving operation needs. (By U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Katherine Jacobus)

04/15/2026

Students from the Springfield Capital Area Career Center recently visited the 183d Wing for an inside look at mission-ready career fields and military operations. Led by the 183d Wing recruiting team, the group toured the 183d Civil Engineer Squadron, 183d Maintenance Squadron, 183d Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 217th Engineering Installation Squadron, gaining firsthand insight into the skills, teamwork, and opportunities that support the Wing’s mission.

Illinois National Guard
Capital Area Career Center

04/13/2026

Cadets from Lincoln's Challenge Academy Visit the 183d Wing

Twelve cadets from Lincoln’s Challenge Academy visited the 183d Wing in Springfield, IL on April 11, 2026 for an immersive tour designed to introduce them to a range of military career opportunities.

The visit focused on exposing the cadets to numerous careers available within the Air National Guard, including civil engineering, engine repair and maintenance, and logistics readiness. Throughout the day, the cadets interacted with airmen across multiple disciplines, and gained firsthand insight into the skills and responsibilities in each field.

A highlight of the tour was a live afterburner test of an General Electric F-110 aircraft engine conducted inside one of the base’s specialized “hush houses,” facilities designed to contain noise while undertaking high-powered jet engine testing. The test offered cadets a rare and up-close display at the precision involved in aircraft maintenance, which left a strong impression on the cadets.

In addition to technical demonstrations, the cadets met with recruiters from the 183d Wing, who provided information on pathways to military service following the completion of their time at the academy. Recruiters discussed enlistment opportunities for education, job training, and personal development.

Lincoln’s Challenge Academy is a voluntary program operated by the Illinois National Guard that helps at-risk youth develop life skills and leadership. The program focuses on academic instruction, physical fitness, and character development, while providing participants with the tools to succeed academically and in the community.

The tour concluded with a question-and-answer session with Col. Shawn Strahle, the Commander of the 183d Wing. Strahle fielded questions regarding military life and the opportunities that the Illinois Air National Guard provides compared to those offered in other branches. The visit concluded with an overview of career opportunities, service commitments, and educational benefits, reinforcing the Wing’s mission to inspire the next generation of potential Airmen. (Article by U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Paul Lauricella)

Illinois National Guard

04/08/2026

Good afternoon 183d! Check out the April podcast for good-to-know info for your weekend!

183d Wing podcast for April 2026

04/06/2026

183d Wing Commander, Col. Shawn Strahle recently attended the Civil Air Patrol, Springfield Composite Squadron (IL-036) awards night—an event that highlights the strength of a long-standing partnership rooted in mentorship, service, and community.

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, has maintained a close relationship with the 183d Wing for more than two decades. After a pause during COVID-19, the Springfield composite squadron returned to the wing last year and has once again made the base its home for weekly training and development.

During the ceremony, Col. Strahle had the privilege of presenting the prestigious Amelia Earhart Award to two outstanding cadets—an achievement that reflects exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment. The evening also celebrated the many accomplishments of CAP members whose contributions extend far beyond cadet development.

From mentoring future leaders to supporting domestic operations such as disaster response, aerial reconnaissance, and emergency communications, Civil Air Patrol members play a vital role alongside the Illinois National Guard. Their impact is felt both in the community and in mission-critical operations across the state.

The 183d Wing remains proud to support and partner with Civil Air Patrol—helping shape the next generation of leaders while strengthening our connection to the community we serve.

Illinois National Guard
Civil Air Patrol - Illinois Wing

03/30/2026