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Homecoming ceremony for IA-NG/IA-AG Unit

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June 22nd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

734th Agribusiness Development Team insignia

A community homecoming ceremony for the 734th Agribusiness Development Team (“ADT”), Iowa National Guard will be held Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. in the Johnston High School large gym, 6501 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston. Local officials and Iowa National Guard leadership will participate, and the public is

welcome and encouraged  to attend the homecoming ceremony. Serving in Afghanistan, the 734th ADT was the first-ever Joint Iowa Army and Air National Guard unit to be deployed overseas. The ADT is comprised of approximately 60 Iowa Army and Air National Guard members from around the state of Iowa with backgrounds and expertise in various sectors of the agribusiness industry.

Their mission was to provide training and advice to Afghan universities, provincial ministries, and local farmers with the goal of increasing stability and improving opportunities for Afghanistan’s re-emerging agribusiness sector.

 
Following their July 2010 sendoff ceremony at Camp Dodge, the Soldiers and Airmen reported to their mobilization station at Camp Atterbury, Ind., for additional training and preparation before departing for overseas operations in Afghanistan. They served in Kunar Province, Afghanistan for the duration of their deployment. The unit is currently outprocessing at Ft. McCoy, Wis.