“I am pleased the Iowa National Guard, under the exemplary leadership of Major General Timorthy Orr, already had active security measures in place that included armed security at certain facilities prior to the terrorist attack in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last week,” said Branstad. “These brave men and women go to work every day to protect our state and nation. Today’s action strengthens current security measures and gives Major General Timorthy Orr the authorization to arm additional soldiers, at his discretion, at Iowa National Guard facilities and recruiting stations to protect themselves and others from danger.”
The announcement comes following Branstad’s meeting with Iowa’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., where the Iowa leaders discussed further collaboration to strengthen security measures, including authorizing military servicemen and servicewomen to be armed at military facilities and recruiting stations that are not under the Iowa National Guard’s purview.
On Monday, Branstad announced that he would take the additional step of seeking federal cooperation to address the issue nationally. As the co-chair of the Council of Governors, a group appointed by the president which advises federal officials on matters related to national security and the National Guard, Branstad will seek federal support to review policies on National Guard bases, military instillations and at recruiting stations to ensure our nation’s soldiers are safe and secure. Gov. Branstad will bring this matter up at the Council of Governors meeting tomorrow, Thursday, July 23, 2015, in Washington, D.C.