Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Nomination of Lieutenant General Joseph Lengyel as Chief of the National Guard Bureau

I want to congratulate Lieutenant General Joseph Lengyel on his nomination as chief of the National Guard Bureau, and, if approved by Congress, on his promotion to general.
 
Over the course of more than three decades in the United States Air Force, whether in the cockpit of an F-16 or serving as a defense attaché overseas, Lt. Gen Lengyel has demonstrated strong and steady leadership.  During his most recent role as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, he has helped to ensure our 470,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and provide combat resources to the Army and Air Force.
 
I am supremely confident that Lt. Gen Lengyel will bring the same visionary leadership and sound counsel that Gen. Frank Grass has brought to the position for nearly four years.  I want to thank Gen. Grass for his distinguished service as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as the department’s official channel of communication to the governors and state adjutants general.
 
On so many occasions over the past 15 years, the men and women of the National Guard have gone above and beyond to meet their country’s call, performing selfless service both at home and abroad.  Under both General Grass and Lt. Gen Lengyel’s direction, the men and women of our Army and Air National Guard have been able to count on having confident leadership and strong advocates at the highest levels of the department.