Ironman Battalion

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier ^ | October 22, 2009 | Mattew Wilde

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WATERLOO --- Northeast Iowa soldiers attached to "Ironman Battalion" are facing another lengthy deployment.

The Waterloo-headquarterd Iowa Army National guard 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry regiment spent nearly two years on active duty --- mostly in Iraq --- starting in 2005. It appears the Iowa National Guard unit will spend another year away from family and friends, this time in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced Tuesday the guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division, of which the 1/133rd is a part of, is on alert. The division will begin deploying in the fall of 2010 to support ongoing operations and training of Afghan national security forces. The potential mobilization of 3,500 soldiers is projected to be the largest call-up of Iowa troops since World War II.

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Steve Kremer said the notification wasn't a shock. It's been 27 months since the 1/133rd's last deployment and the war on terrorism is ongoing. Plus, he said there have been several clues indicating another mobilization would occur, like attending readiness training --- medical and administration updates --- at Camp Dodge in Des Moines last weekend.

Kremer believes morale is high among the troops.

"I think everyone is taking it well," Kremer said. "This battalion has been through quite a bit. It's been amazing to see the positive attitudes of the soldiers."

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These soldiers represent the best of America. It's a shame that politicans dither and put these patriots at risk. God Bless American and those who protect it.