The Hon. Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa, speaks with Soldiers and Airmen of the Iowa National Guard at the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program informational event held at the U.S. Capitol, June 16, 2016. Delegations from 19 different sta

The Hon. Joni Ernst, U.S. Senator from Iowa, speaks with Soldiers and Airmen of the Iowa National Guard at the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program informational event held at the U.S. Capitol, June 16, 2016. Delegations from 19 different states and territories were Washington D.C. to build awareness and understanding of the SPP among Congress and Congressional staff members. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier/released)

Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, National Guard director of Strategic Plans and Policy, speaks with the Hon. Madeline Bordallo, Congresswoman for Guam, at the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program information event at the U.S. Capitol June 16, 2016.

Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, National Guard director of Strategic Plans and Policy, speaks with the Hon. Madeline Bordallo, Congresswoman for Guam, at the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program information event at the U.S. Capitol June 16, 2016. Delegations from 19 different states and territories were Washington D.C. to build awaremess and understanding of the SPP among Congress and Congressional staff members. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier/released)

8 Nevada Airmen receive long-awaited combat medals

Master Sgt. Clinton Dudley, right, receives the Air Force Combat Action Medal from Nevada Adjutant General Brig. Gen. William Burks on Dec. 5. (Photo by Senior Airman Ashif Halim, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs/Released)

Air Guard celebrates Air Force birthday

Techical Sgt. Kristin N. Shultz and Lt. Col. Michael A. Shirley, the youngest and oldest airmen assigned to the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md., cut a cake to commemorate the 66th birthday of the Air Force, Sept. 17, 2013. In 1947, the National Security Act turned what was then known as the Army Air Corps in the United States Department of the Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston/Released)

Airman 1st Class Luis Sanchez, a services specialist with the 169th Services Flight at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina Air National Guard, serves food from the Single Palletized Expeditionary Kitchen during the June Unit Training Assemb

Airman 1st Class Luis Sanchez, a services specialist with the 169th Services Flight at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina Air National Guard, serves food from the Single Palletized Expeditionary Kitchen during the June Unit Training Assembly Readiness Exercise, June 1, 2013. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Caycee Watson)

101 Critical Days of Summer

101 Critical Days of Summer