In support of the National Defense Strategy, the National Guard's focus remains on the war fight, defending and securing the homeland, and building enduring partnerships, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said on Capitol Hill today.
“The Guard is tremendously appreciative for this committee's support in enabling us to accomplish these missions,” Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel said during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on defense.
On any given day, 20,000 men and women of the National Guard work seamlessly with the Army and Air Force as part of the joint force protecting the nation's interests around the globe, he said. With about 850,000 deployments since 9/11, Guard soldiers and airmen conduct complex operations that support every geographic combatant command, Lengyel said.
“Your continued support allows us to leverage our years of combat experience to help confront current and future security challenges,” the general said. “In the homeland, your investment supports on average about 8,000 Guard soldiers and airmen every day, conducting domestic and homeland security defense operations.”
Guardsmen are supporting the Department of Homeland Security with its border security mission, the general said. Soldiers and airmen in the Guard's counterdrug program, in coordination with law enforcement agencies and other partners, detect,…
