Photos: Hundreds welcome home Illinois Army National Guard soldiers at Rockford airport

April 11, 2025|By Kevin Haas|In Trending, Positive & Uplifting, Photo Gallery, Rock River Current, 815 News, Rockford
Sgt. Israel Marti kisses his daughter, Dottie, 2, and hugs his wife, Ariel, on Friday, April 11, 2025, after being welcomed home from Illinois Army National Guard deployment at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hundreds of people filled a Rockford airport hangar on Friday to welcome home Illinois Army National Guard soldiers from a roughly 10-month overseas deployment.

About 550 soldiers were deployed from the 1-178 Infantry and Company B, 766 Brigade Engineer Battalion, and 275 of those soldiers arrived at the Chicago Rockford International Airport on Friday. Others are arriving at a different airport at a later date.

The soldiers come from across northern Illinois and Chicagoland, including some from Rockford. The returnees included Rockford Alderman Jonathan Logemann.

The National Guard said the soldiers were returning from a successful deployment from the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. They were based at 17 locations across seven countries with most soldiers in partner nations of Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The unit deployed in June in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

After brief welcoming statements, soldiers were released to make emotional reunions with friends and family waiting for their return.

Here are some images from the event:

Illinois Army National Guard specialist Angel Segura embraces his father, Jose Segura, on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport after returning from a roughly 10-month deployment. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Melanie Valentin greets Illinois Army National Guard specialist E-4 Logan Schoenbauer on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport after he returned from a roughly 10-month deployment. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Israel Marti hugs his wife, Ariel, on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport after returning from deployment. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Dakari, 3, peaks from behind an image of his father, Jesus Rodriguez, with his brother, Isahyd, 8, left, on Friday, April 11, 2025, as they wait for their dad to return from Illinois Army National Guard deployment at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Friends and family record the arrival of Illinois Army National Guard soldiers on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Susan Moran/Provided by Reese family)
Sgt. First Class John Paul Reese greets his son Mason on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport after returning from deployment. (Photo by Susan Moran/Provided by Reese family)
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd prepares to release Illinois Army National Guard soldiers to their families on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rockford Alderman Jonathan Logemann and his family leave the Chicago Rockford International Airport on Friday, April 11, 2025, after he returned home from deployment with the Illinois Army National Guard. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Soldiers leave the Chicago Rockford International Airport on Friday, April 11, 2025, after returning from a 10-month deployment. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
A woman hugs a returning Illinois Army National Guard soldier on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Families look for the loved one on Friday, April 11, 2025, as Illinois Army National Guard soldiers return to the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Dakari Rodriguez, 3, holds up an image of his father, Jesus, on Friday, April 11, 2025, as they wait for Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to return home at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers enter on Friday, April 11, 2025, the Chicago Rockford International Airport after a 10-month deployment. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Families wait for Illinois Army National Guard soldiers to return on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
The family of Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Jacob Furneaux posts for a photo Friday, April 11, 2025, while waiting for his return at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Sgt. Israel Marti greets his daughter, Dottie, 2, on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Illinois Army National Guard specialist Abe Voelker of Rockford, holding his dog, Nelly, is surrounded by family on Friday, April 11, 2025, for a photo after returning from deployment at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Illinois Army National Guard soldiers wait to be released at the Chicago Rockford International Airport on Friday, April 11, 2025, after returning from deployment. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)
Families wait for Illinois Army National Guard soldiers to return on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Chicago Rockford International Airport. (Photo by Susan Moran/Special to the Rock River Current)

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas