Ragan: National Guard makes Iowa and America strong

More than 40 percent of Iowa’s 7,000 National Guard soldiers and 2,000 airmen have served in combat and combat-support roles overseas, the highest number in decades, Major General Timothy Orr told lawmakers in his annual “Condition of the Guard” address.

General Orr thanked legislators for the long-time state funding and support of the Iowa National Guard facilities and programs, including educational assistance. Providing such opportunities is a top recruiting tool that encourages young people to serve our country and to make Iowa their home.

The Guard continues to play a key role in supporting the daily operations of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Currently, about 425 members are mobilized for combat operations worldwide.

“The days of the Iowa National Guard serving exclusively as a strategic reserve — called up only in emergencies – are over,” Orr said. “We are a surge-ready force that can be called upon to accomplish the nation’s security priorities. We can’t afford to lose what we have worked so hard to achieve, which is the best trained, equipped, led and battle-tested National Guard in our 178-year history in Iowa.”

General Orr noted that Camp Dodge is a major training base for preparing soldiers and airmen for mobilization. It is one of the busiest bases in the country for training Guard, Reserve and active-duty service members, law enforcement and inter-agency personnel. In the past year, Camp Dodge was the site of nearly 400,000 training days and had an economic impact for Iowa of more than $100 million. In addition, the Iowa National Guard brought more than $353 million in federal funding to the state.