Army Gen. Frank J. Grass replaces Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley as Chief of the National Guard Bureau. McKinley, who had served as NGB Chief since November 2008, formally retired Nov. 1, 2012.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.

