Close to 60 Iowa National Guard Troops Return Home from Middle East

The troops supported Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Close to 60 Iowa National Guard soldiers have returned home after spending nearly a year in the Middle East supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The troops helped reduce ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria, with the majority providing logistical support. Two soldiers, Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar and Nate Howard, were killed by an ISIS gunman during an attack in Syria and were remembered during the welcome home ceremony.

Why it matters

The return of these Iowa National Guard troops marks the end of their deployment in the fight against ISIS in the Middle East. Their service and sacrifice, including the loss of two soldiers, highlight the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and maintain stability in the region.

The details

The National Guard said the troops helped reduce ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria, with the majority providing logistical support, such as supplying food, water, and other commodities to sustain the troops in the field. The welcome home ceremony was an opportunity to remember the two soldiers, Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar and Nate Howard, who were killed by an ISIS gunman during an attack in Syria.

  • The troops spent nearly a year in the Middle East supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
  • The welcome home ceremony took place on March 8, 2026.

The players

Bret Hileman

Support Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the returning Iowa National Guard troops.

Staff Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar

An Iowa National Guard soldier who was killed by an ISIS gunman during an attack in Syria.

Staff Sgt. Nate Howard

An Iowa National Guard soldier who was killed by an ISIS gunman during an attack in Syria.

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What they’re saying

“That's the beans, bullets, food, water, any of the commodities that you would need to sustain yourself in an outstation, we supplied. We got it to them.”

— Bret Hileman, Support Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (KCRG)

“And they will always continue to be. You never want to lose someone in combat but that's part of why we signed up. We said: 'we will do it'.”

— Bret Hileman, Support Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (KCRG)

“When you have a ceremony like this, you can let your guard down now. You're out of harms way, you're back home, and you can move on with life. It's just kind of closing that chapter.”

— Bret Hileman, Support Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (KCRG)

What’s next

The Iowa National Guard troops will now transition back to their civilian lives after their deployment in the Middle East.

The takeaway

The return of these Iowa National Guard troops marks the end of their service in the fight against ISIS, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and maintain stability in the Middle East. Their sacrifice, including the loss of two soldiers, is a reminder of the human toll of these conflicts.