National Guard Bureau Chief visits 176th Wing

  • Published
  • By Air Force Maj. John Callahan, 176th Wing
  • 176th Wing
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The U.S. National Guard’s highest-ranking officer visited the 176th Wing May 7.


Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed Alaska Air National Guard capabilities with Col. Steven deMilliano, the 176th Wing’s commander. He also met with senior wing leaders, visited the wing’s maintenance facilities and listened to a briefing on the wing’s innovative long-range rescue capabilities. Throughout the visit he met and fielded questions from 176th Wing Airmen of all ranks.


A former “traditional” (i.e., one-weekend-per-month) Air Guard member, Lengyel said he understood the challenges of serving part-time while maintaining a full-time job. He said one of his priorities was to ensure the readiness of the force by actively addressing these issues.


“I’m amazed by all the things you’re doing here in the 176th,” he said after reviewing the wing’s capabilities with deMilliano. “I understand that you guys are the best of the best -- award winners. You make it easy for me to talk to everyone on the outside about what we do. Thanks for everything.”