Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Illinois National Guard

Overview

• Position: Assistant Adjutant General - Air for the Illinois Air National Guard
• Current Leader: Maj. Gen. Daniel McDonough
• Responsibilities:
  • Command, control, and operations over nearly 3,000 personnel
  • Locations: Scott Air Force Base, Peoria, Springfield, Illinois
  • Ensuring combat readiness and mission capability of major air bases
  • Supervises a full-time force of over 900 Federal and State employees

Background of Maj. Gen. Daniel McDonough

• Education:
  • Associate Degree, General Studies (1983), Illinois Central College
  • Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration (1985), Indiana State University
  • Attended various military courses including F-16 and C-130 Flight Instructor Courses
• Career:
  • Commissioned in May 1987 after graduating from the Academy of Military Science
  • Experienced pilot in OA-37, F-16, C-130E, and C-130H aircraft
  • Deployment experience includes Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
  • Former Commander, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Bagram Air Base

Military Experience

• Flight Experience:
  • Command Pilot, Instructor, Evaluator
  • Over 5,600 total flying hours
  • Nearly 700 combat and combat support hours
• Leadership Roles:
  • Air National Guard Operations Group Commander Council Chairman
  • Commanded at Flight, Squadron, Group, Wing, and State levels
  • Former Commander of 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois Air National Guard

Assignments Timeline

1. 1987-1988: Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB
2. 1988-1991: Forward Air Controller, Peoria, Illinois
3. 1991-1994: F-16 Fighter Pilot, Peoria, Illinois
4. 1994-1997: Assistant Flight Commander, Peoria
5. 1997-1999: Operations Officer, Peoria
6. 1999-2005: Flight Commander, Peoria
7. 2005-2006: Commander, Peoria
8. 2006-2017: Commander, 182nd Operations Group, Peoria
9. 2006-2007: Commander, 774th EAS, Bagram AB
10. 2008: Commander, 774th EAS, Bagram AB
11. 2010: Commander, 774th EAS, Bagram AB
12. 2012: Commander, 774th EAS, Bagram AB
13. 2017-2022: Commander, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria
14. 2022-Present: Assistant Adjutant General Air, Illinois Air National Guard

Flight Information

• Rating: Command Pilot
• Total Flight Hours: Over 5,600
• Combat Hours: Over 475
• Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, OA-37, AT-38B, F-16A/B, C-130E/H3

Major Awards and Decorations

• Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
• Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
• Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Air and Space Achievement Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Air Force Combat Action Medal

Promotions Timeline

• Second Lieutenant: May 21, 1987
• First Lieutenant: July 12, 1989
• Captain: July 12, 1991
• Major: April 1, 1997
• Lieutenant Colonel: April 1, 2004
• Colonel: Jan 24, 2014
• Brigadier General: May 30, 2022
• Major General: July 31, 2024

Note: Current information as of August 2024.