Iowa National Guard, home for Thanksgiving

After spending a year overseas, thirty three Iowa National Guards from the 2-211th Aviation returned home for Thanksgiving. The 2-211th Aviation was deployed to Kosovo in December 2023, as part of a Task Force Voodoo.  They played a role in maintaining peace and security as part of the Operation Joint Guardian, a NATO led operation in supporting security in Kosovo.

The 2-211th Aviation worked side by side with over 7,000 Nato troops from thirteen countries.

During their operation 1,750 flight hours, training over 2,000 soldiers in air medical evacuations procedures, and nine successful air medical evacuation missions.  The Black Hawk helicopters helped put out forest fires, dropping over 73,000 gallons of water.

On December 7th, at the Waterloo Convention Center, the 33 members of from the 2-211th Aviation will be honored  for their sacrifice and their service.