Johnston, Iowa – The Iowa National Guard will host a deployment send-off ceremony at 10-a..m on Friday, July 10th, at the 132d Wing in Des Moines. The ceremony honors the approximately 120 Iowa National Guard Soldiers who are preparing to depart for a federal support mission in Washington, D.C.
The Soldiers will deploy assisting with operations supporting America250 and Freedom 250 events in the nation’s capital. The approximately six-month mission highlights the National Guard’s unique ability to support large-scale national events while working alongside local, state and federal partners.
During the mission, Iowa National Guard Soldiers will serve in a Title 32, Section 502(f) status, supporting the District of Columbia National Guard and partner agencies, including the U.S. Park Police, Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and other federal organizations. Their primary objective is to ensure the ongoing safety and security of residents, commuters, and the millions of visitors who travel to the District.
The send-off ceremony is intended to provide Soldiers an opportunity to be recognized before departing and allow family members, friends and fellow Service Members to show their support. The ceremony is not open to the general public and is limited to invited family members, close friends and credentialed members of the news media.
