The leader of the Iowa National Guard says the “international situation today is more complex and demanding” than anytime he’s seen in his 39 years of service. Adjutant General Timothy Orr delivered his Condition of the Guard address (Thursday) at the statehouse.

 

Nearly 400 Iowa National Guard soldiers from companies in Muscatine, Davenport, Waterloo and Boone were part of a federal call up in September for assignment in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

There are roughly 9,000 soldiers under Orr’s command. In addition to serving on combat missions overseas, the soldiers are trained to respond to attacks, threats and natural disasters in Iowa and across the U.S.