Gen. Lengyel checks in with Guardsmen deployed to AUAB
By Staff Sgt. Patrick Evenson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Public Affairs
/ Published November 24, 2017
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --
U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher S. Kepner, senior enlisted advisor to the Chief, NGB, visited deployed Guardsmen at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Nov. 24, 2017 here.
Members of the National Guard have a unique dual mission. When they are back home in the United States, they live a life outside the military, serving a minimum of two days a month and two weeks a year.
Their purpose while stateside includes supporting disaster relief and emergency response efforts, as deemed necessary by the governor of their respective states. However, they can also be called upon for assistance at the federal level. Due to this dual-mission, they are required to be well-trained and available with the proper resources to become an operational force overseas.
The two individuals responsible for the nearly 453,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel are Gen. Lengyel and CSM Kepner.
Lengyel and Kepner stopped at AUAB to visit with Guardsmen supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel during a tour around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
They talked to Guardsmen over breakfast about the unique capabilities that the National Guard brings to the operational force, as well as the challenges that living a dual civilian and military life can bring.
After the two leaders spoke, Airmen and Soldiers had an opportunity to ask Lengyel questions about present issues and inquire about future endeavors.
Lengyel and Kepner spent time at AUAB touring various sections and coining individuals who were spotlighted by their leadership.