Brigadier General James W. Schroeder is the Chief of Staff who also serves as the Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard. He is responsible for the command, control and operations of plans and programs affecting more than 3,000 Illinois Air National Guard personnel located at Scott Air Force Base, Peoria, and Springfield, Illinois. His broad range of responsibilities include insuring combat readiness and mission capability of three major air bases comprised of flying wings, command and control facilities, logistics and mission support units, providing combat trained personnel to meet all United States Air Force mission requirements.

General Schroeder received his commission in 1982 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Officer Training School.  He received a Bachelor of Science, Industrial Technology from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois and Air War College by correspondence. A proud achievement of his early career was assisting in the initial setup of the aerial refueling training operation at Geilenkirchen AB, Germany. His involvement helped pave the way for the on-going rotation of Air National Guard refueling units to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization base. During Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM, he was recognized as accumulating the most flying hours of any member in the expeditionary wing. General Schroeder flew Combat Air Patrol sorties in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE, and deployed to fly combat support missions in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.

General Schroeder's military awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, 2 awards; Air Medal, 2 awards; Air Force Achievement Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, 3 awards; Combat Readiness Medal, 8 awards; National Defense Service Medal, 2 awards; Southwest Asia Service Medal, 3 awards; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, 6 awards; Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 20 years of service and 2 mobilizations; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Air Force Training Ribbon; Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait; Illinois Long and Honorable Service Medal, 2 awards; Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon, 9 awards and Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon. 

As of 13 Jun 2012