(Radio Iowa) – Over 700 Iowa National Guard soldiers were called to active duty during 2024 and Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Steve Osborn says over five dozen are on duty today (Friday) in the nation’s Capitol. “We have 63 of our soldiers and airmen in Washington, D.C. on a federal status,” he said, “providing support to the presidential inauguration as we typically do.” Over 33-hundred soldiers in the Iowa National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team entered special training program in 2024. This summer, the unit will go to the “Joint Readiness Training Center” or J-R-T-C at Fort Johnson, in Louisiana, for another 21 days of intensive training.

“This JRTC rotation is the final event for 2nd Brigade’s 5-year readiness cycle,” Osborn said. “Upon completion, over 1,800 Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.” The adjutant general says soldiers from Kosovo will train alongside the Iowa Guard unit. Thirty-eight from the Kosovo Security Force’s Infantry Platoon will deploy with the 18-hundred Iowa Guard soldiers to the Middle East. This is the second, and largest, co-deployment of Iowa Guard and Kosovo soldiers. The adjutant general delivered the annual “Condition of the Guard” address at the Iowa Capitol yesterday (Thursday) and briefed lawmakers on Iowa Guard operations. He said Guard analysts based in Iowa will continue working directly with state and local law enforcement agencies investigating drug crimes.

“In 2024, analysts worked over 1,200 cases, contributing to the seizure of 2,327 pounds of drugs, and 884 arrests,” Osborn said. “This includes the seizure of approximately 30 pounds of fentanyl.” Osborn, a Davenport native, enlisted in the Army in 1984 and transferred to the Guard in 1992. He has been the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard since March of 2023.