The Honorable Mark W. Eckert (left), mayor of Belleville,

The Honorable Mark W. Eckert (left), mayor of Belleville, Ill., talks to Brigadier General Peter Nezamis, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Illinois National Guard, prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly opened 126th Operations Group facility at Scott Air Force Base, July 8. The Illinois Air National Guard facility boasts many energy efficiency upgrades and provides more room to the 108th Air Refueling Squadron and the 906th Air Refueling Squadron for training, mission scheduling and administrative functions. (Air National Guard photo by Ken Stephens)