McKinley: SPP relationships have matured well

Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, speaks at the State Partnership Program Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, June 15, saying the program "has matured well" and has grown into solid, long-standing alliances. The U.S. European Command-hosted conference is highlighting many new initiatives, to include SPP partners co-deploying to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, and interactive workshops that transform SPP to the next level to ensure it provides comprehensive support for EUCOM's Strategy of Active Security. (Department of Defense photo by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen)

Guard chief emphasizes communication, collaboration, coordination

The National Guard has evolved over the last eight years into a force that has been through the crucible of combat, Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau. told students at National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on May 27, 2009. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill) (Released)

Air Guard team provides clean water for storm stricken Arkansas town

Technical Sgt. Brian Sutton, a utilities systems management specialist with the 188th Fighter Wing's Civil Engineering Squadron of the Arkansas Air National Guard, connects a supply hose to a water purification unit that will output purified water to support the water needs of the 1,230 residents of Dierks, Arkansas. The community's only water treatment facility was heavily damaged by a tornado on Thursday, April 9, 2009.

Annual drill prepares agencies for hurricane season

Planners participate in a Rehearsal of Concept drill held at the community Center at Fort Belvoir, Va., Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The ROC drill is an annual event bringing together civilian and military planners to plan for the upcoming hurricane season. (Photo by Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum, National Guard Bureau)

National Guard planners prepare for 2009 hurricane season

Gen. Gene Renuart, commander, U.S. Northern Command, and Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, discuss preparations for the 2009 hurricane season at a hurricane planning workshop sponsored by NGB and NORTHCOM at Hilton Head, S.C., on Feb. 19, 2009. A unified response is key to success after a storm, leaders say. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill) (Released)

'Military Saves' campaign battles debt

Chaplain (Maj.) Sarah Shirley, a chaplain assigned to the Air National Guard Readiness Center at Andrews Air Force Base, has been the driving force behind the nonprofit organization Military Saves, which is geared to helping servicemembers save money and pay down debt. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy)(Released)