The military operations against Iran have apparently not affected Iowa Army National Guard soldiers deployed in the Middle East, many of whom are returning home early.

About 1,800 troops — including members of the Fort Dodge based Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery — left Iowa in May 2025 with an expected return date this coming June.

But because their objectives were achieved earlier than planned, soldiers started coming home sooner.

Early last month, about 250 soldiers returned.

Then in late February, the National Guard announced that another 575 soldiers would return. Jackie Schmillen, director of public affairs for the Iowa National Guard, said Monday those soldiers are back in the United States and welcome home ceremonies are being planned.

About 825 of the 1,800 soldiers have returned.

Schmillen said as far as she knows the Iowa National Guard has not received any orders to deploy more personnel as a result of the Iran situation.