Iowa Army National Guard

Iowa Army National Guard
Unit name	Iowa Army National Guard
Caption	Flag of the State of Iowa
Dates	1838–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Iowa
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	Militia
Role	State defense and federal military reserve
Size	Approximately 4,200 soldiers
Command structure	Iowa National Guard
Garrison	Johnston, Iowa
Garrison label	Headquarters
Commander1	Governor of Iowa
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	MG Stephen J. Osborn
Commander2 label	Adjutant General
Identification symbol label	Distinctive unit insignia

Iowa Army National Guard. The Iowa Army National Guard is a component of the Iowa National Guard and the United States Army National Guard. As a dual-status force, its members serve under the authority of the Governor of Iowa for state missions and can be federalized by order of the President of the United States for national defense. With a lineage dating to territorial militias, it provides combat-ready units for the Department of Defense while also supporting domestic emergencies within Iowa.

History

The militia tradition in Iowa Territory began with its organization in 1838, preceding Iowa's statehood in 1846. Early units were activated for the Mexican–American War and saw extensive service during the American Civil War, with notable contributions at battles like Shiloh and Vicksburg. In the 20th century, its soldiers fought in both World War I and World War II, with the 34th Infantry Division earning distinction in campaigns across North Africa and Italy. Throughout the Cold War, it maintained readiness as part of the Total Force Policy, with elements mobilized during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The modern era has seen repeated activations for the Global War on Terrorism, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organization and structure

The force is organized under the Iowa National Guard headquarters, located at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa. The Adjutant General, a major general, commands all state military forces. It falls under the administrative control of the National Guard Bureau in Arlington and, when federalized, operates under the Army Forces Command. Its structure includes a brigade combat team, sustainment brigades, and various support commands, aligning with the U.S. Army's modular force design.

Major units and installations

The primary maneuver unit is the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, headquartered at Boone. Key support formations include the 103rd Brigade Support Battalion in Charles City and the 113th Cavalry Regiment based in Sioux City. The principal training and logistical hub is Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center, which also hosts the Iowa National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters. Other significant facilities include armories in Waterloo, Davenport, and Council Bluffs, which support company and battalion-sized elements.

Missions and deployments

Its federal mission is to provide trained units to the Department of the Army for worldwide combat operations, peacekeeping, and security cooperation. Since 2001, thousands of its soldiers have deployed to CENTCOM areas of responsibility, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The state mission, directed by the Governor of Iowa, includes responding to natural disasters like the Great Flood of 1993 and the Midwest derecho of 2020, as well as supporting civil authorities during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Training and readiness

Soldiers maintain proficiency through mandatory drill weekends and annual training events, often conducted at Camp Dodge or major combat training centers like the National Training Center at Fort Irwin and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson. Readiness is assessed through the Army Combat Fitness Test and evaluations by higher commands like the First Army. Specialized schools, such as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, provide advanced instruction for officers and non-commissioned officers.

Equipment and modernization

The force utilizes standard U.S. Army equipment, including the M2A3 Bradley fighting vehicle and the Stryker armored vehicle. Aviation support is provided through agreements with the Iowa National Guard's 185th Aviation Regiment, which operates UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Modernization efforts focus on network-centric warfare capabilities, integrating new communications systems like the Joint Tactical Radio System, and fielding updated individual soldier gear as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon program.

Category:Iowa Army National Guard Category:Military in Iowa Category:State agencies of Iowa