The visit spanned Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait and focused on recognizing service, honoring sacrifice, and reinforcing Iowa’s commitment to the nearly 1,800 Iowa National Guard members currently deployed throughout the region.

“It was an honor to visit our deployed soldiers and airmen in the Middle East and personally thank them for their service on behalf of a grateful state,” said Reynolds. “I am incredibly impressed and proud of the Iowa National Guard’s vital contributions to this global mission.”

“Seeing our soldiers and airmen reinforces why this mission matters,” said Osborn. “Across the region, they are executing with professionalism, precision, and purpose. Their dedication — often far from home — demonstrates the very best of our force and the critical role we play in protecting regional stability and our national security.”

The delegation first traveled to Al Tanf Garrison, Syria, where it met with soldiers assigned to Task Force Armadillo (1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment). During the visit, the governor presented the Purple Heart to an Iowa soldier wounded during the Dec. 13 attack that claimed the lives of two Iowa National Guardsmen. The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are wounded or killed as a result of enemy action, recognizing sacrifice and courage in combat.

Reynolds also administered the oath of reenlistment to two soldiers, reaffirming their continued service while deployed.

In Jordan, the governor and adjutant general visited a deployed medical team from the 185th Air Refueling Wing. The team included an officer who was recognized by the governor during her Condition of the State address. The airmen provided critical medical care to casualties from the Dec. 13 attack, underscoring the vital role Iowa airmen play in joint and combat medical operations.

The delegation then traveled to Erbil, Iraq, where they remained overnight and received briefings from soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division (Task Force Guardian). Leaders discussed accomplishments and current operations within the Combined Joint Area of Operations. While in Erbil, Reynolds also reenlisted an Iowa soldier, highlighting continued service in support of the mission.

The final leg of the visit included Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Buehring, Kuwait. At Ali Al Salem, Detachment 6 of the 641st Operational Support Airlift Command, a small unit of Army fixed-wing aviators, briefed the governor and adjutant general on their mission and the scope of aviation support provided across the region.

A group of individually deployed airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing also met with the delegation to discuss their highly technical and specialized roles supporting air operations.

At Camp Buehring, the governor and Osborn visited soldiers from Task Force Nyala (334th Brigade Support Battalion) and Task Force Redleg (1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, which is headquartered in Fort Dodge), thanking them for their professionalism and sustained operational tempo in support of regional security and stability.

Throughout the visit, Reynolds and Osborn emphasized Iowa pride, service before self, and the enduring connection between deployed Guard members, their families, and communities back home.