RELEASED BY: LT. COL. GREG HAPGOOD

     PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
     OFFICE: (515) 252-4582
     CELL: (515) 971-6385
     HOME: (515) 986-5725

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

IOWA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD MEDICAL UNIT ACTIVATED FOR FEDERAL ACTIVE DUTY
 

The Department of Defense and the National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C., have announced the Iowa Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 109th Medical Battalion (Multifunctional) has been activated for federal active duty in February 2008. The unit will deploy to the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt as part of the Multinational Force Observer (MFO) mission. This assignment is part of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, and the global war on terrorism.
 

Based in Iowa City, HHD, 109th Medical Battalion (Multifunctional) will provide command and control to three companies which provide logistical, medical, aviation and explosive ordinance removal support to all 11 MFO contingents. Approximately 95 Soldiers total are affected by this mobilization.
 

Soldiers from the following Iowa Army National Guard units will provide additional technical and tactical expertise to HHD, 109th Medical Battalion for the MFO mission: 209th Area Support Medical Company (Iowa City); 294th Area Support Medical Company (Johnston); 134th Medical Company (Washington); 67th Troop Command (Iowa City); 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Johnston); 2133rd Transportation Company (Centerville); and Joint Forces Headquarters (Johnston).
 

These Soldiers have been ordered to active duty for one year and can be extended for an additional year by the Department of Defense. It is anticipated the unit will hold a sendoff ceremony in early February before departing for their mobilization station at Fort Lewis, Wash. Specific information about the sendoff will be provided in the near future.
 

In 2003, the 109th Medical Battalion was federally mobilized to support Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in support of the global war on terrorism. The unit provided medical support and care throughout the Iraqi theater of operations to U.S. and coalition Service members, Iraqi citizens, and detainees. The Battalion completed federal active duty and returned to Iowa in April 2004.
 

For questions concerning this release as well as additional information about the operations, training, and activities of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard, please contact Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer by email at gregory.hapgood@ia.ngb.army.mil or (515) 252-4582 (office), (515) 971-6385 (cell), or (515) 986-5725 (home). You may also contact 1st Sgt. Duff E. McFadden at 515) 252-4666 (office), (515) 480-7647 (cell) or by email at duff.mcfadden@ia.ngb.army.mil.

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