National Guard Troops Still Serve at Iowa Airports

National Guard troops are still stationed at eight airports around Iowa. Captain John Wilson says it’s a long day working at the airport, 5:00 AM till 2:00 in the morning depending on airline schedules. 70 Iowa Guard soldiers are on active duty at the airports, and Captain Wilson says they’re deliberately stationed at airports close to their home. In addition, he points out, it’s a duty that every one of the guard members has volunteered for. And far from bogging down the travel process, Wilson says having uniformed reserves checking secured areas and staffing checkpoints is making things move more smoothly. The troops will be coming off that assignment early in January.