About 140 Iowa National Guard Soldiers Returning Home

Welcome home ceremony set for Wednesday in Cedar Rapids

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:21pm

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A serene, painterly scene of an Iowa National Guard armory building, its facade illuminated by warm, angled sunlight casting deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and civic pride surrounding the soldiers' homecoming.The welcome home ceremony for Iowa National Guard soldiers marks a poignant moment of community pride and reflection on the sacrifices of military service.Cedar Rapids Today

Approximately 140 Iowa National Guard soldiers are set to return home to Cedar Rapids on Wednesday afternoon, with a welcome home ceremony scheduled for 2:00 p.m. The troops were part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division and were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve since May 2025.

Why it matters

The return of these National Guard members is an important homecoming for the local community in Cedar Rapids, as well as a symbolic moment for the state of Iowa after the tragic loss of two soldiers from the same deployment in December 2025.

The details

The soldiers are part of a larger group of over 1,800 Iowa National Guard members who were deployed to the Middle East as part of the counter-terrorism operation. Around 60 soldiers had already returned to the Eastern Iowa Airport last week, and about 200 have come back from the mission so far.

  • The welcome home ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2026.
  • Around 140 soldiers are set to return to Cedar Rapids around 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday.

The players

Kim Reynolds

The Governor of Iowa, who is set to attend the welcome home ceremony.

Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

A 25-year-old Iowa National Guard soldier who was killed in December 2025 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard

A 29-year-old Iowa National Guard soldier who was killed in December 2025 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

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What’s next

The Iowa National Guard will continue to welcome home the remaining soldiers from this deployment over the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The return of these Iowa National Guard members is a significant moment for the Cedar Rapids community and the state, as they honor the service and sacrifice of those who served in Operation Inherent Resolve, including the two soldiers who lost their lives.