Iowa to send National Guard, troopers to Texas border for Operation Lone Star

More than one hundred Iowa National Guard members are heading to Texas in support of Operation Lone Star.

In addition, eight Iowa troopers and two sergeants from the Iowa Department of Public Safety are also heading to the border.

All costs to the deployment will be covered by federal funding allocated to Iowa from the American Rescue Plan.

Governor Kim Reynolds released the following statement regarding the state’s support of Operation Lone Star:

“President Biden and his Administration have failed to protect the sovereignty of our borders and the safety of the American people. What Texas faces is nothing short of an invasion with historic levels of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs entering our country. Now, every state is a border state, and with that comes a duty to protect the people of Iowa.

“These deployments will help Texas on the frontlines of this crisis. I am grateful to all the members of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa National Guard for volunteering for the deployment. It’s a testament to their leadership and willingness to serve.”

Deployment Details:

• March 31, 2024: 8 troopers, 2 sergeants from DPS (conclude April 27)
• April 1, 2024: 110 Iowa National Guard (conclude May 3)
• April 1, 2024: 5 Guard personnel providing ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support ( conclude September 30)