Photo By Airman 1st Class Noah Hardin | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Upson, a security forces officer with the 182nd...... read more read more
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A new member of the Illinois Air National Guard is proving to be a key asset in ensuring both operational excellence and local impact. Staff Sgt. James Upson, a full-time Security Forces member serving as a federal technician at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, brings not only professional skill to the mission but also a deep sense of community spirit.
Upson began his military career on active duty, serving four years in the same role. His assignments took him from local stations to posts overseas, including England, and eventually to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. But after years away, he felt a strong pull back to his roots.
“I wanted to come back home and build on the life that I had left here when I joined active duty,” Upson said.
That decision was made easier when a change in stationing policy for his career field prompted him to transition into the Illinois Air National Guard.
Returning to his hometown of Knoxville, Illinois, Upson not only continued his service in the same job but also fulfilled a longtime personal dream.
“It has always been a dream of mine to be a high school football coach,” he said. “But I would only want to do it as a volunteer. I enjoy giving back.”
Now more than a year into his role with the 182nd, Upson seamlessly balances his federal technician responsibilities at the base with his role as a volunteer football coach at a local high school.
“This is my first time being to Alpena,” Upson noted while supporting Exercise Sentry North 25. “But I can tell this is going to be my favorite TDY so far.”
At Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Upson and his fellow Security Forces members are tasked with real-world support, safeguarding the flightline and protecting the C-130H Hercules aircraft involved in the joint exercise. Their presence ensures operations remain secure and compliant with safety protocols, forming the backbone of a successful training environment.
“We get to do our work and focus on the skills that we have learned in real-world application,” Upson explained.
Exercises like Sentry North 25 are vital to building combat readiness. They allow Airmen to test and sharpen their operational capabilities in environments that mirror actual deployment conditions, fostering adaptability, vigilance and precision.
Whether he is patrolling the airfield or coaching from the sidelines, Staff Sgt. James Upson is leading by example and proving that service to country and community are not exclusive.
| Date Taken: | 06.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2025 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 499668 |
| Location: | ALPENA, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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