[Announcer] Funding for this program is provided by Friends, the Iowa PBS Foundation, as well as generations of families and friends who feel passionate about the programs they watch on Iowa PBS.

♪♪ [Announcer] As elected officials gather in Iowa's capital city of Des Moines, Major General Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, speaks to a joint session of the Iowa Legislature.

This is the 2026 Condition of the Guard address.

♪♪ [Senator Amy Sinclair] The chair recognizes the honorary sergeant at arms.

[Sergeant at Arms] Madam president, the Executive Council has arrived in the House chamber.

[Senator Amy Sinclair] Please escort the Executive Council to their seats.

[APPLAUSE] [Senator Amy Sinclair] The chair recognizes the honorary sergeant at arms.

[Sergeant at Arms] Madam president, Lieutenant Governor Cournoyer has arrived in the House chamber.

[Senator Amy Sinclair] Please escort Lieutenant Governor Kenoyer to her seat.

[APPLAUSE] [Senator Amy Sinclair] The chair recognizes the honorary Sergeant at Arms.

[Sergeant at Arms] Madam president, the following special guest of the Major General has arrived.

Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, please escort Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari.

[APPLAUSE] [Senator Amy Sinclair] The chair recognizes the honorary Sergeant at Arms.

[Sergeant at Arms] Madam president, your committee to escort Governor Reynolds has arrived.

[Senator Amy Sinclair] The committee will escort Governor Reynolds to the rostrum.

[APPLAUSE] [Senator Amy Sinclair] The chair recognizes the honorary sergeant at arms.

[Sergeant at Arms] Madam president, your committee to notify and escort Major General Stephen Osborn has arrived.

[Senator Amy Sinclair] The committee will escort Major General Stephen Osborn, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, to the rostrum.

[APPLAUSE] [Senator Amy Sinclair] It is my pleasure to introduce Major General Stephen Osborn, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard.

Major General Osborn is here to present the condition of the national of the Iowa National Guard address.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Thank you.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Well, good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you to President Sinclair and Speaker Grassley for the invitation to be here with you today and the opportunity to speak about the Iowa National Guard, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Democrat Leader Weiner, House Majority Leader Kaufman and House Democrat Leader Meyer, thank you for your continued leadership and your steadfast support to the Iowa National Guard.

Governor Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Kenoyer, members of the Iowa General Assembly, distinguished guests, and my fellow Iowans.

It is once again an honor to be here in this great chamber to present the annual condition of the guard on behalf of the 9000 professional men and women who serve in the Iowa National Guard.

I want to express our deepest appreciation for your continued support and partnership as your Adjutant General.

I am proud to report that 2025 was a year marked with meaningful progress and significant achievements across our organization.

However, before we speak of accomplishments, it is only fitting given recent events, that we pause to honor sacrifice.

Just over a month ago, on December 13th, two Iowa National Guard soldiers were killed in action while serving in the Middle East.

Staff Sergeant Nate Howard of Marshalltown, and Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines.

Their losses felt deeply across all our formations across our state and across our nation.

In recognition of their service and sacrifice, I ask that we take a moment to reflect, and at this time, I would like to invite Deputy State Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Taylor to the podium to lead us in prayer.

[Jeremy Taylor] Would you please join me in prayer?

Heavenly father, we come before you today in gratitude for your word tells us that your steadfast love endures forever and that your mercies are new every morning.

Today, we are especially mindful that our freedoms were purchased by a debt we could never repay, and this truth was brought home poignantly to us through the sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Nathan Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar, who were killed in Syria last month.

These young men, Lord, were willing to walk through the shadow of the valley of Death, doing what they loved and serving others.

They embodied what you taught us that there is no greater love than this, than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

May we live lives worthy of their sacrifice, marked by faith and service and gratitude.

Lord, we lift before you those who survived the attack, who were wounded and are recovering.

We lift up the family families of the fallen who continue to sacrifice long after the flag is folded and the ceremony is over.

Grant them comfort and peace and strength.

Until that promised day, when they are reunited on the other shore in the hope of the resurrection and the life.

Eternal.

Lord, we acknowledge darkness and evil are present in our world, and yet we hold fast to the promise that the light has come into the world and the darkness has not.

It cannot overcome it.

We ask for your protection over the 1800 Iowa National Guard soldiers who are currently deployed, watch over them, sustain them, and bring each one safely home to their families and to their communities.

Thank you, Lord, for this nation, for the state, and for the people who continue to answer the call you place before them.

We offer this prayer in your precious and holy name.

Amen.

[Major General Stephen Osborn] Thank you chaplain.

Thank you everyone.

So we begin today with heavy hearts reflecting on the profound loss of our two of our finest soldiers.

Yet even in this time of sorrow, we have witnessed something powerful.

The strength, the unity, and the compassion of the state of Iowa.

On behalf of the entire Iowa National Guard, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring, outpouring of care and respect shown to our fallen heroes and their families, governor Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Kenoyer, members of our congressional delegation and our state legislators.

Your leadership and presence during this time mattered deeply.

And to the people of Iowa, from our largest cities to our smallest towns, you stood together.

You lined the streets.

You waved the American flag.

You stood in silent patriotic tribute as we brought our soldiers home to their final resting place.

Your actions spoke volumes, reminding us all what it truly means to be an Iowan.

To the soldiers and airmen who have honored our fallen every step of the journey home, never leaving their side, providing constant support to their families.

Your commitment has a powerful embrace.

In a moment of deep grief and a solemn promise that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

We also pause to express our gratitude and continued support for the soldiers who were wounded in the same attack.

Their courage and resiliency exemplify the competency of our force, and we remain committed to their recovery and care.

These Iowans represent the very best of our state and nation.

They stood as sentinels of freedom in a dangerous world, and we are forever indebted to their sacrifice.

Their valor and dedication will never fade from our memory.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize the more than 1800 Iowa soldiers and airmen who remain deployed today across the Middle East.

They continue to carry out critical missions that are ongoing, demanding and vital to our national security.

The predominance of our deployed service members are part of our second Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, currently serving under the command of Colonel Eric Stoltz.

Eric is a traditional Iowa Guardsman, and I say with full sarcasm, a part time soldier who's on his fourth deployment, having served previously in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and now back in the Middle East.

Eric epitomizes the dedication and competence of the National Guard and the professionalism and selfless service of our soldiers and airmen.

The Iowa National Guard is dependent on the commitment of our people, and that starts and ends with our families, their love and support are vital not only to our personal success, but ultimately to the success of our entire military.

In recognition of all our family members with loved ones deployed, it is my honor to introduce someone who represents the strength and sacrifice of the families who stand behind the force.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Kelly Soltz, wife of Colonel Eric Stoltz, and their daughter Isabelle, who are with us here today.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Thank you.

Kelly.

In the days following these recent events, one of the most common questions we heard was simple but important.

Why is the Guard in Syria?

And that's a fair question, and one that I want to clearly address today.

The National Guard is a core component of our nation's total force, providing 40% of the Army and 30% of the Air Force operational force.

The National Guard is not a backup, not an auxiliary.

The National Guard serves as an integral component of the United States military's global mission to protect our nation, our allies, and our partners.

The National Guard is no longer a strategic reserve to be utilized in times of the most extreme national emergencies.

We are and will continue to be, the primary combat reserve of the United States Army and the United States Air Force.

And that distinction carries real meaning.

It means the Iowa National Guard were 95% of our budget is funded federally through the Department of War, is a fully capable and fully equipped operational force.

We are a critical partner in our nation's defense, addressing complex and evolving threats and supporting security cooperation around the world.

Our soldiers and airmen train, deploy, and fight alongside their active duty counterparts every single day, not as a backup force, but as an essential part of the joint team at home.

As the only dual status component within our nation's military, our federal funding, training and equipment allows the National Guard to provide our governors with a ready, disciplined, and capable force that can employ immediately to save lives, protect infrastructure, and reassure the public while preserving state authority and control.

Why is the guard in Syria?

The Iowa National Guard is in Syria and many other locations around the world.

Because the National Guard is a critical, critical piece of America, it is both a shield at home and a sword overseas.

An indispensable pillar of national security.

And our men and women understand this.

They embrace this.

They join the Iowa National Guard to serve their state, to serve their nation, and to be a part of something honorable and enduring.

Our missions and deployments in 2025 reinforce our role as an indispensable element of the joint force, and a trusted partner in our communities, our state, and our nation.

In late May, our second Brigade Combat Team deployed from Iowa to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where it executed one of the largest rotations in Jrtc history, integrating forces from 16 states and four partner nations.

More than 6000 soldiers participated in the exercise, which focused on large scale combat operations and validated the brigade's ability to fight, sustain, and command in a complex, contested environment.

Upon completion of the rotation, over half the brigade mobilized directly from Fort Polk into the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility, marking the first time a brigade has deployed directly from Jrtc.

The Iowa Air National Guard also remained fully engaged in global operations.

In 2025, projecting air power and sustaining joint and coalition forces across multiple theaters.

The 1/85 Air Refueling Wing deployed nearly 200 airmen to 24 locations spanning multiple geographic regions and currently the 1/85 has nearly 120 airmen operating in multiple locations across the Middle East, providing direct support to all theater air activities to include Operation Hawkeye Strike missions against I.S.I.S.

The 1/32 wing executed distributed global operations, deploying airmen to six locations worldwide, while also deploying more than 100 airmen in place here at home in Des Moines.

From Iowa, they conducted MQ nine Reaper and targeting operations, providing persistent intelligence, surveillance, and strike capability around the globe to include direct support to the United States Central Command and Operation Hawkeye Strike.

This summer, we will deploy more than 80 soldiers from the 7 or 7 34th Regional Support Group to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

This nine month deployment will support base operations across NATO and sites in Eastern Europe and the Baltic region, reinforcing allied readiness and providing credible deterrent to Russian aggression.

Both our wings continue to support federal Taskings directly from home station here in Iowa.

While deploying a number of highly skilled airmen forward to integrate and serve in our geographic combatant commands.

These missions reflect the reality of the Iowa National Guard, not as a force held in reserve, but a fully integrated operational component delivering global reach, precision and endurance in support of national security.

Every mission we execute, whether in Iowa or overseas, is built on one essential foundation the readiness of our people, our equipment, and our units.

Recruiting and retention is the metric that defines personnel readiness.

And once again, I am proud to say the Iowa National Guard ended fiscal year 25 at a 99.8% strength and an 82% percent retention rate, and as I speak today, the Iowa National Guard is over 100% strength with 8931 soldiers and airmen assigned and continuing to grow.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] And these results are not accidental.

They reflect strong leadership across the organization, care for our service members and their families, meaningful missions, and unprecedented support from our state leadership.

Another key component of our readiness, and a powerful example of how the Iowa National Guard contributes to security cooperation, is our long standing partnership with the Republic of Kosovo through the National Guard State Partnership Program.

For the past 15 years, Iowa soldiers and airmen have worked side by side with the Kosovo Security Force, building Interoperability Trust and shared understanding.

Together, we have supported the KSF as they transition into a NATO Interoperable Territorial Defense Force capable of protecting Kosovo's sovereignty and contributing to regional stability.

In 2025 alone, we conducted 26 bilateral exchanges involving more than 500 soldiers and airmen.

These were not symbolic engagements.

They were meaningful, hands on efforts that strengthened capability, professionalism and readiness on both sides.

Most notably, after years of training together, the Kosovo Security Force attached an infantry company to Iowa's second Brigade Combat Team during their Joint Readiness Training Center rotation.

This was the capstone of years of partnership in Kosovo's first opportunity to project military capability outside of its borders in support of a large scale training mission, and their performance was exceptional.

It was praised by Jrtc observer controllers as highly professional.

Now our partnership is anchored in five lines of effort maneuver, military medicine, sustainment, cyber defense, and professional development.

But what truly sets I was partnership apart is military cooperation.

This year, we proudly enlisted our first Kosovo citizen into the Iowa National Guard.

Anderen Gashi, a permanent resident seeking to become a U.S.

citizen, joined the I Air National Guard as a security forces airman.

His story reflects how this partnership has come full circle from evolving from cooperation to trust to shared service to citizenship.

At its core, our partnership with Kosovo is about more than training events and exchanges.

It's about shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to peace and security, both home and abroad.

At this time, it is my distinct honor to recognize our distinguished guests who represent the commitment of this partnership.

Their presence today reaffirms the strength of our bond and the promise of what we continue to build together.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, Chief of Defense of Kosovo.

Kosovo Security Force command Sergeant Major Bedri Zuka, senior enlisted leader for the Kosovo Security Force.

And Mr.

Drilon.

Councilor General of Kosovo consulate right here in Des Moines.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Our programs, partnerships, training and operational success reflect the strength and dedication of our organization and most importantly, the accomplishments of our people.

To illustrate that strength, I would like to recognize a few extraordinary individuals who represent the very best of the Iowa National Guard.

Our first highlight recognizes a state employee with the Department of Public Defense, whose dedication and professionalism exemplify the very best of public service.

Chris Estabrooks has devoted more than 15 years to state service, including the past three years with the Department of Public Defense.

Over the last three years, she has effectively operated a two person human resources office on her own, seamlessly managing benefits, payroll and HR support for more than 250 state employees.

Her resilience, attention to detail and commitment to excellence have ensured uninterrupted support for our workforce.

Beyond her professional role, Chris's commitment to the Iowa National Guard runs deep and personal.

She's the proud spouse of Command Sergeant Major Gary Estabrooks, who served more than 30 years for our state and nation, and the proud mother of Staff Sergeant Ethan Estabrooks and Sergeant Gavin Estabrooks, all serving with the Iowa National Guard and all who happen to be here today.

So, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing Chris Estabrooks and her family.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Master Sergeant Charles, youth of the 1/32 wing exemplifies the highest standards of dedication, service and selflessness.

Master Sergeant Youth is a 12 year veteran of the Iowa Air National Guard and a traditional or part time Guardsman.

In his civilian career, he supports national defense through his work at Collins Aerospace.

In Uniform, he serves as an all source intelligence analyst, providing intelligence analysis, targeting, and threat assessments to help maintain situational awareness across today's complex and evolving operational environment.

On May 25th, Master Sergeant Youth demonstrated that his commitment to service extends beyond the uniform after witnessing a motorcycle accident along highway 151, in northeast Iowa, he immediately stopped to help, placing the life of a stranger above his own safety.

Using his military medical training, master Sergeant Euthy stabilized the critically injured motorcyclist, secured the scene and provided lifesaving care until emergency responders arrived.

His quick action and calm leadership were instrumental in ensuring the motorcyclist was safely transported for critical medical treatment.

Master Sergeant these actions exemplify service before self and reflect the highest traditions of the Iowa Air National Guard.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing Master Sergeant Charles Youth, who's here today with his wife Caitlin, and their three children.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] For over 26 years, Chief Warrant Officer three Anthony Valais Canton has represented the highest ideals of the National Guard through a distinguished career in aviation maintenance.

As a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, CW three, Van Cannon has been a steadfast contributor to our nation's security, completing six operational deployments.

Service runs deep in the Van Cannon family, where his sister is currently deployed as a counterintelligence officer with our second Brigade Combat Team, and his brother continues to serve in the Alaska National Guard today.

CW three Van Cannon brings his experience forward as a Warrant Officer, candidate, school instructor at our 1/85 Regional Training Institute shaping the next generation of warrant officers.

His decorated career, including the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge, stands as a powerful example of leadership, professionalism and service.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing Chief Warrant Officer three Anthony Van Cannon, who's with here today with his wife Jen, and their two children.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Our success also depends on strong partners in our communities, especially with our employers, who play a critical role in supporting our traditional part time service members.

Organizations like Employer support of the Guard or Reserve or Esgr are essential in strengthening those relationships and ensuring our soldiers and airmen can serve without sacrificing their civilian careers.

This year, we were honored to participate in the presentation of the National Esgr Freedom Award to Mr.

Steve Hauschild, Chief Executive Officer of Graham Construction.

Steve was nominated by Master Sergeant Mike Berry, a member of the 1/32 wing and an employee at Graham Construction.

The Freedom Award is Esr's highest award, recognizing employers nationwide who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to members of the National Guard and Reserve.

Steve, we're grateful that you can be with us today.

And I just I want to personally thank you for your support to our service members.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing Mr.

Steve Hauschild and Graham Construction.

[APPLAUSE] [Major General Stephen Osborn] Over the next ten years, the United States military to include the Iowa National Guard will undergo one of the most significant periods of transformation and modernization in our history.

This transformation is driven by a rapidly changing environment.

One defined by technology, speed, data, precision, and competition across all domains.

Modernization will first focus on people.

Our greatest advantage remains the professionalism, ingenuity, and character of our dedicated service members.

Technologically, the force will become more integrated, lethal and resilient.

Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities and space assets will be woven together through secure networks that will allow our commanders to sense, decide and act faster than any adversary.

Organizationally, we will become more agile.

Units will be designed to deploy faster, operate dispersed and sustain themselves in contested environments.

Joint and combined operations with our allies and our partners will become the norm, not the exception.

In the Iowa National Guard, transformation is underway as we build a more advanced and capable force.

We are launching new Air National Guard units designed with next generation technologies and creating new and challenging training opportunities for our airmen.

We are also proactively shaping our future Army force structure to be highly relevant in a changing world.

While simultaneously delivering value here in Iowa.

Foundational to this effort is the modernization of our infrastructure, which is critical to supporting these new missions and securing our readiness for decades to come.

At the 1/32 wing, we remain at the forefront of cyber defense, a mission that is critical to our nation's security and increasingly relevant to the modern fight in Sioux City.

With the help of our congressional delegation and authorization of $220 million to recapitalize the runway at the 1/85 Air Refueling Wing was included in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that passed in December.

The final step will be the appropriation of funds to implement the authorization, and this is a huge step forward for the Iowa Air National Guard.

Sioux City, and Northwest Iowa.

This past year, we opened our newest readiness center here in West Des Moines, a modern, purpose built facility designed to support the Iowa Army National Guard well into the future.

We also broke ground on a new $14 million, federally funded Army National Guard equipment maintenance facility in Sioux City, and I'm happy to share that later this year, we will break ground on a similar $14 million federally funded equipment maintenance facility in Waterloo.

As we move forward into 2026, three priorities will guide the Iowa National Guard.

First, our people remain at the center of everything we do recruiting, developing and supporting our service members and their families is key to readiness and to their success, both in uniform and beyond.

Second, we will continue to conduct challenging and realistic training that prepares our force for the increasingly complex missions at home and abroad.

And finally, we're modernizing our force structure, our infrastructure and our equipment to meet emerging threats.

This transformation strengthens the readiness of the Iowa National Guard while creating opportunity for Iowa through economic growth, job creation, and stronger communities.

Ensuring the Iowa National Guard remains ready for the future.

To highlight the successes we've we've placed copies of our latest annual report on your desks, and this book serves as a tool to share our story and to celebrate the achievements of our people and the success of our missions.

Once again, on behalf of the nearly 9000 Iowans who proudly wear the uniform and swear an oath to both the Constitution of the State of Iowa and the Constitution of the United States, I want to say thank you.

Your support provides the foundation upon which we train, which we modernize, and which we execute our missions here at home and abroad.

And because of that, the Iowa National Guard remains strong and always ready.

God bless our men and women in uniform.

God bless this great state and God bless the United States of America.

Thank you.

[APPLAUSE] [Senator Amy Sinclair] Will the committee to escort the Major General please come forward and escort Major General Osborn from the House chamber?

[APPLAUSE] ♪♪ [Announcer] Funding for this program is provided by Friends, the Iowa PBS Foundation, as well as generations of families and friends who feel passionate about the programs they watch on Iowa PBS.