An F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, takes off from Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base New Orleans while performing an alert scramble Feb. 8, 2012.

An F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard, takes off from Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base New Orleans while performing an alert scramble Feb. 8, 2012. 159thFW’s fighter aircraft were back on alert status less than 63 hours after Hurricane Isaac’s landfall in southern Louisiana in August 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Farrell/RELEASED)

Soldiers and Airmen of the Louisiana National Guard launch a boat for search and rescue operations in Braithwaite, La., Aug. 30, 2012.

Soldiers and Airmen of the Louisiana National Guard launch a boat for search and rescue operations in Braithwaite, La., Aug. 30, 2012. The state activated more than 7,000 Louisiana Guardsmen to assist area residents along with local and state authorities in support of Hurricane Isaac relief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Farrell/RELEASED)

International Junior Officer Leadership (IJOD) course students tour historic Nueburg, Germany as part of the course’s cultural diversity training.

International Junior Officer Leadership (IJOD) course students tour historic Nueburg, Germany as part of the course’s cultural diversity training. Capt. Stacey Rieger of San Jose, Ill., with the Illinois Air National Guard’s 183rd Air Mobility Operations Squadron along with more than 40 other junior officers from seven countries participated in IJOD in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany Sept. 7 to 15. The course included briefings on international leadership, team building, cultural diversity, international relations and cross-cultural mobilization issues.

National Guard diversity council recognized among nation's best

The National Guard Bureau Joint Diversity Executive Council was recognized as one of the Top 25 diversity councils in the United States at the Association of Diversity Councils Honors Award dinner in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 4, 2012. The NGB JDEC placed 14th for outstanding contributions and achievement that lead organizational diversity processes. Councils were reviewed in four categories: demonstrated council results; demonstrated management commitment; measurement and accountability, and communication and education. (Army National Guard photo Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill) (Released)

Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director of the Air National Guard, is honored at the Order of the Sword ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa, Okla., Sept. 28, 2012.

Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director of the Air National Guard, is honored at the Order of the Sword ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa, Okla., Sept. 28, 2012. The Order of the Sword ceremony is conducted by NCO’s to honor leaders who have made significant contributions to the enlisted corps. (National Guard photo by: Master Sgt. Kurt Skoglund/Released)

Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director of the Air National Guard, is honored at the Order of the Sword ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa, Okla., Sept. 28, 2012.

Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director of the Air National Guard, is honored at the Order of the Sword ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Tulsa, Okla., Sept. 28, 2012. The Order of the Sword ceremony is conducted by NCO’s to honor leaders who have made significant contributions to the enlisted corps. (National Guard photo by: Master Sgt. Kurt Skoglund/Released)