LE MARS — Le Mars soldiers are headed overseas.
Troop C of the 1-113 Cavalry Regiment in the Iowa National Guard will be deployed late this spring. There are 95 members of Charlie Troop 1-113 CAV, according to the Iowa National Guard.
They are among an estimated 1,800 uniformed personnel assigned to Operation Inherent Resolve, an ongoing effort by the American military and its allies to combat the Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and Libya. American troops, working closely with British soldiers and other allies, are assisting Iraqi security forces and Syrian Democratic Forces.
The 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division of the Iowa Army National Guard will take part in deployment ceremonies between May 28-30. In addition to the Le Mars unit, Company D of the 334th Brigade Support Battalion based in Sioux City and Company F of the 334th Brigade Support Battalion in Storm Lake will be activated, along with units from Waterloo, Council Bluffs, Davenport and Cedar Rapids.
“We are going to provide security, support partner nations and assist efforts to maintain stability in the region,” Iowa National Guard director of public affairs Jackie Schmillen said. “The main mission or specialty of this unit is to support reconnaissance and surveillance for the brigade.”
A town hall on the deployment will be held at noon Friday, April 4, at the Le Mars Armory, 1050 Lincoln St. N.E. Additional information will be provided for Guard members, their families and their employers.
A deployment ceremony is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.
The activation is not a surprise. Major General Stephen Osborn announced the deployment during his Condition of the Guard address before the Legislature on Jan. 16.
“Our Army units are also continually preparing for operations while adhering to the Army’s Global Force Management Allocation Plan, placing our units in a five-year readiness cycle,” Osborn said. “This cycle annually increases the demand and rigor of unit training, culminating with the availability for unit deployment in support of operational missions around the world. Last year, our largest unit, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, with over 3,300 soldiers assigned, participated in the Army National Guard’s Exportable Combat Training program, a highly resourced capstone training event designed to conduct integrated collective training as part of the unit’s readiness build.”
He said the 2nd Brigade’s readiness cycle will conclude this summer during a demanding 21-day, force-on-force training rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Johnson, La.
“This JRTC rotation is the final event for 2nd Brigade’s five-year readiness cycle and upon completion, over 1,800 soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,” Osborn said. “As a key component of our readiness, the Iowa National Guard continues to invest in our long-standing and impactful relationship with the Republic of Kosovo and the Kosovo Security Force through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program. Through our partnership, we work side by side with the KSF in multiple capacities, strengthening interoperability, understanding, and trust.”
Capt. Ivan Naranjo replaced Capt. Zachary Weddington as the unit’s commander in 2024. The squadron commander is Lt. Kent Greiner, who will lead Friday’s town hall. Both will be a part of the mobilization.
The definition of cavalry is a fast-moving, mobile military unit, often used for reconnaissance and rapid intervention, according to Schmillen.
Troop C was last deployed in 2020-21, when it spent 10 months at the Horn of Africa.
