Johnston, IA — During his annual Condition of the Guard address, Adjutant General, Major General Stephen Osborn, announced the upcoming deployment of the Iowa National Guard’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 34th Infantry Division. This deployment represents the culmination of the unit’s five-year readiness cycle and their unwavering commitment to supporting global operations.

The Iowa National Guard’s readiness cycle requires units to continuously prepare for operational missions, gradually increasing the intensity of training to build and sustain combat readiness. Over the past year, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which includes over 3,300 Soldiers, participated in the Army National Guard’s Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program—a highly resourced capstone training event that integrates collective training at all levels.

This summer, 2nd Brigade will complete its readiness cycle with a 21-day, force-on-force training rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. JRTC rotations are among the most rigorous training events in the Army, preparing units for the complexities of large-scale operational environments.

Upon completion of their JRTC training, more than 1,800 Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. During this mission, they will join coalition forces to provide security, support partner nations, and contribute to efforts to maintain stability in the region.

The Iowa National Guard remains steadfast in its mission to provide ready and capable forces in support of state and federal operations. As we prepare for this deployment, we thank the Soldiers, their families, employers and their communities for their unwavering support.