Chicago Soldier takes command of Springfield Unit

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/18/2018) (readMedia)-- Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Scott Liebhaber of Chicago, took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Illinois Army National Guard during a ceremony held at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois, July 14.

Liebhaber took command from Maj. Simon Wlodarski of Chicago, who had been the commander since 2015.

Col. Joseph Schweikert, of Peoria, Illinois, Chief of Staff for the Illinois Army National Guard, welcomed the new commander and bid farewell to Wlodarski.

"Capt. Liebhaber, congratulations, and welcome to one of the most unique command experiences in the National Guard," said Schweikert. "Maj. Wlodarski has set you up to do great things."

Wlodarski thanked the Soldiers of JFHQ for their support and hard work and dedication.

"I'm proud to have commanded this unit," said Wlodarski. "You are the heartbeat Illinois Army National Guard, the reason that 10,000 Soldiers can work without worry."

Cutline 1: Maj. Simon Wlodarski of Chicago, commander of Illinois' Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, based in Springfield, Illinois, passes the unit colors to Col. Joseph Scwheikert of Peoria, Illinois, Chief of Staff for the Illinois Army National Guard, during a change of command ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois, July 14. The passing of the colors from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its Soldiers is never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance of Soldiers to their unit's commander. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Col. Joseph Scwheikert of Peoria, Illinois, Chief of Staff for the Illinois Army National Guard, passes the colors to Capt. Scott Liebhaber of Chicago, during a change of command ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois, July 14. Liebhaber took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Illinois Army National Guard, based in Springfield, Illinois. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)