Joseph L. Lengyel
Joseph L. Lengyel | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2016 | |
| Born | 1959 (age 65–66) Northeastern United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | |
| Years of service | 1981–2020 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | National Guard Bureau Air National Guard Readiness Center 455th Expeditionary Operations Group 149th Operations Group 182d Fighter Squadron |
| Battles / wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal |
Joseph Lauren Lengyel (born 1959) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau from August 2016 to August 2020. As chief, he was responsible for ensuring that nearly 460,000 Army National Guard and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat capabilities to the United States Army and the United States Air Force. Lengyel is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours primarily in the F-16.
Prior to his last assignment, Lengyel served as the 10th vice chief of the National Guard Bureau. His previous general officer assignments include Senior United States Defense Official; Chief, Office of Military Cooperation; and Defense Attaché, Cairo, United States Central Command, Cairo, Egypt. He retired from the Air Force on August 3, 2020, after over 38 years of service.