Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Benjamin Corell has alerted several units that they are likely to be called to active duty this year. It includes a mission in support of NATO -- the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- as fears rise about a Russian invasion of Ukraine. "We anticipate we … [Read more...]
About 80% of soldiers in Iowa Army and Iowa Air National Guard fully vaccinated
Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Benjamin Corell says the soldiers in his ranks are "a wealth of talent" for the state not seen since World War II, but during the annual "Condition of the Guard" address this morning at the Capitol, Corell said the Guard is going to lose some soldiers due to the … [Read more...]
Ernst, Miller-Meeks say there’s more to do to address sexual assault in military
The two members of Iowa's congressional delegation who are military veterans say more must be done to reform how the military justice system handles sexual assault cases. Policy inserted in a military funding bill makes sexual harassment a crime in the Uniform Code of Military Justice for the … [Read more...]
Reynolds calls COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Iowa Guard an overreach
Governor Kim Reynolds is among a group of GOP governors who're calling on Pentagon officials to abandon the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for National Guard soldiers. Reynolds argues that as governor, she has authority over the Iowa National Guard and should be allowed to let guard members in Iowa … [Read more...]
Iowa Veterans Cemetery the final resting place for more than 6,000 Iowans
An outdoor Veterans Day service was held an hour after sunrise at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery where more than 6000 Iowa veterans are buried. "Be with us on these hallowed grounds where many of our veterans have gathered and many of nation's heroes rest," Iowa National Guard chaplain Lucas Murphy … [Read more...]
Longest serving Iowa guard soldier retires
An Iowa National Guard member who joined after dropping out of high school has retired as the longest serving soldier in the organization. Stephen Swisher retired in July as a Chief Warrant Officer Five -- and was honored Wednesday in a ceremony in a repair bay where he worked for more than four … [Read more...]
Ernst bill seeks improvement of Pentagon’s suicide prevention efforts
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst is a lead sponsor of legislation calling on the Pentagon to assess its suicide prevention efforts. Recently released data indicates there was a 15% increase in military suicides last year compared to 2019. "There are bureaucracies in such a large organization and so what … [Read more...]
Ernst says security-related bill includes help for Afghan allies
Senator Joni Ernst says a bipartisan proposal to help Afghan civilians who worked with the U.S. military is included in a security-related bill that easily cleared the House and Senate yesterday. There's money for processing special immigrant visas as well as travel and housing assistance in the … [Read more...]
Iowa veterans wanted to tell their stories for national record
Veterans will get a chance to tell their story and have it preserved at the Library of Congress this weekend in central Iowa. Sara Robinson does the interviews as part of the Iowa Veterans’ Perspective organization she founded. "I travel all over the state depending on who wants to host me. The … [Read more...]
Third GOP candidate plans to seek third district congressional seat
Republican State Senator Zach Nunn of Bondurant plans to run for congress and challenge the only Democrat in Iowa's D.C. delegation. Nunn served two terms in the Iowa House and was elected to the state senate in 2018. He's also a member of the Iowa National Guard who was deployed this past … [Read more...]