Nevada Air Guard hosts leadership summit

Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, made his first visit as a four-star general to the Nevada Air National Guard base to headline the inaugural Nevada Air National Guard Leadership Summit.

Lengyel, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, became the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau last August when he succeeded Gen. Frank Grass.

Lengyel spoke earlier this year to a crowd of about 400 Nevada National Guard soldiers and airmen about leadership and the future of the National Guard.

“The opportunity to participate in the development of the future leaders of the National Guard is one of the most important things I do,” said Lengyel, who serves as the Department of Defense’s official channel of communication to the governors and state adjutants general on everything related to the National Guard.

Other speakers included Nevada Wolf Pack football head coach Jay Norvell, University of Nevada, Reno, professors Bill Kuechler and Yvonne Stedham, Western Nevada Supply owner Rick Reviglio and Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Reecy, the South Dakota Air National Guard headquarters superintendent.

The leadership conference emphasized the Nevada Air Guard’s force development initiative. Force development ensures Airmen have the tools they need to take on leadership roles as they progress in rank, said Col. Mitch Sperling, the 152nd Airlift Wing’s vice commander and Leadership Summit executive planner.

Force development is one of the five priorities of the Nevada Air National Guard. The Nevada Air National Guard’s other four strategic priorities are readiness, care for members and families, diversity and community.

Baylee Hunt is an airman with the Nevada National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing