West Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa National Guard have announced the official grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, will be held for the Guard’s newest state-of-the-art facility, the West Des Moines Readiness Center, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, beginning at Noon. The new readiness center—located at 1625 SE National Guard Road, in West Des Moines, Iowa —will serve as the home of the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment (1-168th IN) and the 2168th Transportation Company, enhancing the Guard’s readiness and operational capabilities in central Iowa.

The ceremony will feature remarks from:
• Governor Kim Reynolds
• Major General Stephen Osborn, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard
• West Des Moines City Leader

Photos courtesy Jackie Schmillen Director of Public Affairs, Iowa National Guard

Members of the public and community partners are invited to attend and celebrate this important milestone in the Iowa National Guard’s continued commitment to modernization, national defense, and local emergency response readiness.

The West Des Moines Readiness Center represents a significant investment in both infrastructure and community resilience. Beyond military operations, the facility will also play a vital role in supporting training, mobilization, and emergency response efforts throughout Iowa and beyond. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new facility.