Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has announced that two Air Force generals have been nominated to fill the top positions for the National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
President Barack Obama nominated Lt. Gen. Joseph Lengyel to be the next chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Maj. Gen. Maryanne Miller to be the next leader of the Air Force Reserve, the Pentagon announced.
Lengyel is currently serving as the vice chief of the Guard Bureau, and if confirmed would receive a fourth star to take over for Army Gen. Frank Grass.
"Over the course of more than three decades in the United States Air Force, whether in the cockpit of an F-16 or serving as a defense attaché overseas, Lt. Gen Lengyel has demonstrated strong and steady leadership," Carter said in a statement.
"During his most recent role as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, he has helped to ensure our 470,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and provide combat resources to the Army and Air Force," Carter continued.
Lengyel joined the Air Force in 1981, and has served in both the active and reserve components. He has more than 3,000 flight hours, mostly in the F-16.
Personnel records show that Lengyel has earned the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Air Medal, among others.
He has served as the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau since 2012.
"On so many occasions over the past 15 years, the men and women of the National Guard have gone above and beyond to meet their country's call, performing selfless service both at home and abroad," Carter said. "Under both Gen. Grass and Lt. Gen Lengyel's direction, the men and women of our Army and Air National Guard have been able to count on having confident leadership and strong advocates at the highest levels of the department."
Miller is currently serving as the deputy chief of the Air Force Reserve. If confirmed by the Senate, she would pin on a third star and succeed Lt. Gen. James Jackson.
"After Senate confirmation, she will become the first female citizen airman to achieve the rank of lieutenant general, the first female chief of Air Force Reserve, and first female commander of the Air Force Reserve Command," the Air Force said in a statement.
Jackson described Miller as a "proven leader" who "will continue to lead our citizen airmen to the next level of excellence."
Miller joined the Air Force in 1981, and has more than 4,800 flight hours in the C-5, KC-10, C-17, and other aircraft.
According to personnel records, Miller has earned the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal, among others.
She has served as the deputy chief of the Air Force Reserve since 2013.
