Members of the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, participated in the Skills Rodeo training over drill weekend at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 5, 2025. The Skills Rodeo ensures Airmen are fully prepared to perform critical warfighting skills under pressure, validating their ability to meet mission requirements in any operational environment. Members featured are U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dorian Cross, a personnelist with the 182nd Contingency Response Group, Staff Sgt. Yuan Ochoa, an aerial porter with the 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Airman 1st Class Kelsey Rojas, an avionics specialist with 182nd Maintenance Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Julian Hernandez, an emergency manager with the Civil...
This commentary reflects on combat readiness training and the realization that the skills learned during drill weekends are no longer distant hypotheticals. Inspired by current combat wartime readiness training exercises and stories from deployed Airmen who relied on their training in real-world situations, the commentary examines the importance of preparation, adaptability and personal responsibility in today's operational environment.
Peoria, Ill. – Recruiters previously assigned to the 182nd Airlift Wing now fall under a new Illinois Air National Guard squadron assigned to the Illinois Joint Force Headquarters.
Staff Sgt. Olivia Hatton and Tech. Sgt. Sarah Reiman, both production recruiters working out of the 182nd Airlift Wing, received individual awards for outstanding performance during fiscal year 2025.
