[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MAJOR GENERAL DANIEL R. McDONOUGH

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2026

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize and honor the 
extraordinary service of Major General Daniel R. McDonough, whose 
distinguished career has had a lasting impact on Peoria, Illinois, and 
the United States of America.
  General McDonough devoted nearly four decades to the United States 
Air Force and the Illinois Air National Guard, building a legacy of 
leadership, professionalism, and commitment to mission success. 
Commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 1987, he served 
as a Command Pilot, Instructor, and Evaluator with more than 5,600 
flight hours, including nearly 700 combat and combat support hours.
  Throughout his career, General McDonough served in numerous 
operational and command roles, flying the OA-37 Dragonfly, F-16 
Fighting Falcon, and C-130 Hercules. He deployed multiple times in 
support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and commanded 
the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at Bagram Air Base in 
Afghanistan.
  Illinois is especially grateful for General McDonough's many years of 
service in Peoria, where he commanded the 169th Airlift Squadron, the 
182nd Operations Group, and the 182nd Airlift Wing. Under his 
leadership, the Wing maintained strong mission readiness and remained a 
critical part of our Nation's airlift capabilities.
  In 2022, General McDonough was selected as Assistant Adjutant 
General-Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard, leading 
more than 3,000 Airmen across the state. His leadership helped guide 
important modernization efforts, including the 182nd Airlift Wing's 
transition to the C-130J Super Hercules.
  On behalf of the people of Illinois and a grateful Nation, I thank 
Major General Daniel R. McDonough for his extraordinary service and 
wish him, his wife Cindy, and their family continued success and 
happiness in retirement. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his 
remarkable legacy of leadership and service.

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