(Radio Iowa) – Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Ben Corell says there were a “staggering number” of domestic and overseas deployments for Iowa Guard soldiers and airmen in 2020. That includes 17-hundred who are still on duty overseas and over 900 Iowa Guardsmen called to pandemic-related duty. “Not since the historic floods of 2008, has the Iowa National Guard played such a diverse role in coming to the aid of Iowans during their time of need,” Corell said.

Adj. Gen. Ben Correll

Corell delivered the annual “Condition of the Guard” address to Iowa legislators this (Thursday) morning. He went on to highlight the actions of the Guard during the pandemic: distributing 312 tons of food to food insecure Iowans, driving over 420,000 miles to deliver personal protective equipment and Test Iowa Samples to Iowa hospitals, and staffing 12 Test Iowa locations.

The Guard also assisted during the Derecho; they were responsible for clearing debris from city blocks so that power could be restored. 2020 saw the Guard have 1,700+ soldiers and airmen deployed full time on humanitarian and peace keeping missions. General Corell maintained that the National Guard is ready and capable and will remain ready and capable moving forward.