Only a few Iowa National Guard soldiers remain in Afghanistan, now that 60 troops are returning home following an 11-month long deployment. The 60 soldiers with the 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) are based as Camp Dodge in Johnston. A homecoming ceremony will be held there on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Iowa National Guard Captain Brandon Cochran says the 1034th provided logistical support to Regional Command North in Afghanistan. That logistical support included transportation, maintenance, water purification and distribution, and fuel distribution. The unit also oversaw two dining facilities, providing 2,000 meals per day, and operated two fitness centers. “Additionally, they supervised seven projects providing $1.1 million worth of assistance for more than 500,000 Afghans, through the Commander’s Emergency Response program and carried out area maintenance for six Forward Operating Bases in the area,” Cochran said.
The 1034th had previously spent time in Iraq between 2006 and 2007.