An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 3, 2019

Chief of National Guard Bureau hosts USO tour

By Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON — Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, will host a USO tour featuring comedians, actors and other celebrities who are scheduled to perform for Service members and their families based in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.

This is Lengyel’s first USO tour since becoming CNGB and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“It’s an honor to join the USO to thank our Guard members and all Service members and their families for all they do to keep our nation safe,” said Lengyel. “It’s important they know everyone back home values their service and cares about them.”

The six-day tour is scheduled to include stops in six different countries in Europe, Southwest Asia and Africa and is designed to boost morale for Service members and families stationed overseas. The tour also gives the volunteer talent an inside look at what the U.S. military does to protect the nation.

“Embarking on our first tour with Gen. Lengyel is a true honor,” said Alan Reyes, USO chief operating officer. “Together, we will bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform while underscoring the important role the National Guard plays in the defense of our nation.”

Performers on the tour include: actress Mayim Bialik (Big Bang Theory); singer Laura Bryna; comedian Anjelah Johnson; Nia Franklin (2019 Ms. America); actress Toni Trucks (Seal Team); The Voice champ Cassadee Pope; and former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson This will be the second USO tour for Pope and Jackson.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Englund, a master spur holder assigned to the 303rd Cavalry Regiment, Washington National Guard, inspects a gold spur during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 9, 2026. Englund has earned both silver and gold spurs and has helped facilitate multiple Spur Rides throughout his career. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri.
Washington, Oregon Guard Soldiers Inducted Into the Order of the Spur
By Sgt. Vivian Ainomugisha, | Jan. 26, 2026
CAMP LEMMONIER, Djibouti – Soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard, including those assigned to the 303rd Cavalry Regiment and the 81st Brigade, along with attached Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard, were...

Florida Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Troop A and C Troop, 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment, including liaison monitoring teams and Religious Support Team chaplains, train alongside Tennessee Army National Guard Forward Support Medical Platoon (MEDEVAC), General Support Aviation Battalion aircrews and Florida Army National Guard 715th Military Police Company during civil disturbance response, leader engagements and joint air-ground operations Jan. 16, 2026, during a culminating training exercise at Fort Hood, Texas. The exercise highlighted total force integration as cavalry, medical, military police and religious support elements synchronized mobility, crowd management, escalation control and partner engagement to provide real-time situational awareness and achieve mission success in complex environments. Photo by Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount)
National Guard Multi-State Task Force Completes Training Exercise
By Capt. Balinda ONeal, | Jan. 26, 2026
FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers assigned to Task Force Gator, a multi-state National Guard formation, completed a Culminating Training Event from Jan. 12–17, marking a key milestone in the task force’s preparation for an upcoming...

U.S. Army Spc. Kaitlin Cavanaugh and Sgt. Omar Sewell conduct maintenance on the forward rotor of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, which was battle damaged from a hard landing while serving in Iraq, in the maintenance bay of the Connecticut National Guard's 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group in Groton, Conn. June 22, 2021. The Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group recovered this helicopter from Kuwait and performed a complete overhaul of the aircraft to get it back into the Army's operational fleet. Photo by Timothy Kloster.
Connecticut Guard Home to Specialized Aircraft Maintenance Facility
By Timothy Koster, | Jan. 23, 2026
GROTON, Conn. – At the Connecticut National Guard’s 1109th Aviation Classification and Repair Depot, or AVCRAD, workers refurbish and maintain the U.S. Army’s fleet of rotary-wing aircraft, a unique job that can save the...