Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel on Wednesday received his fourth star and assumed duties as chief of the National Guard Bureau. During a Wednesday ceremony at the Pentagon, Lengyel assumed command from retiring Army Gen. Frank Grass, who ran the bureau since 2012. Since 2012, the chief of the National Guard has served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “I’m confident that Joe will continue the good work Frank has done in strengthening community and employer support for our warriors, and particularly for our military families before, during, and after deployments,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the ceremony. Lengyel, who was confirmed in June, previously served as the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…