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 Blum's time as chief ends with medal from SecDef, praise for others By Army Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy
                National Guard Bureau
 ARLINGTON, Va. - LTG H Steven Blum handed over the reigns as chief of the National Guard Bureau to Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley during a ceremony at the Pentagon Nov. 17. He was also handed something in return. For his more than five years of service as chief, Blum was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medalby Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The award recognized Blum's leadership of the Guard during his tenure, which saw more than 52,000 personnel deploy to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, resulting in one of the largest airlift missions since the Berlin Airlift of 1948; the growth of the Guard's State Partnership Program; and the transformation of NGB into a joint activity; all this while supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas locations. "Thank you for your outstanding service to the men and women of the National Guard and for your contributions to America's security throughout these past five years and your entire career," said Gates prior to presenting Blum the award. Blum, in his last remarks as chief, focused on other events of the day"”McKinley's promotion to the rank of four-star general before his swearing in as the new chief. He stressed that the award was not his alone: "A lot has been said on this citation and absolutely none of it, not a single one of those great accomplishments could have been possible without every single one of you assembled here and those you represent," said Blum. "This is your award, and I am proud to accept it on your behalf." He also looked back on his tenure as chief. "It has been my honor and privilege to be chief of the NGB for the past five years and six months, each and every day of which while we're at war," said Blum. "(That is) a truly extraordinary opportunity and responsibility for someone who aspires to be a Soldier." He also commented that the future of the National Guard has been left in capable hands. "Before I go, I have to tell you if I were to invent my own successor, it would have to be Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley," he said. "What a superb selection Mr. Secretary." Blum will take over as deputy commander of the U.S. Northern Command, which provides command and control of Department of Defense homeland defense efforts and coordinates defense support of civil authorities. According to DoD's Institute of Heraldry, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal is only awarded to officers whose exceptional performance of duty and contributions to national security or defense have been at the highest levels.
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