Earlier this month the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois National Guard in Peoria hosted an open house for local mayors and legislators. Col. Rusty Ballard, Wing Commander, provided a briefing on the 182nd’s manning, mission and capabilities. Col. Ballard is the commander of the 182nd Airlift Wing located in Peoria, Illinois. He is responsible for the wing’s traditional and full-time Illinois Air National Guardsmen tasked with maintaining and operating C-130H3 aircraft, as well as providing special warfare command and control capability. Additionally, he ensures all assigned units are able to fulfill their state and federal missions as directed.
Afterwards, we flew in a C-130 Hercules transport plane. We then talked with military personnel, received updates to communications equipment and handled some of the newer weapon systems. It was a great morning. A big Thank You to Col. Ballard and to those who serve in the 182nd Airlift Wing.
