Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn also took time to speak about the National Guard’s growth and modernization efforts that include steps forward in technology.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Rounding out the trio of annual speeches given at the beginning of a legislative session, which includes the Condition of the State and Condition of the Judiciary, Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn delivered the Condition of the Guard address on Thursday.

Osborn began his address by honoring the two guardsmen slain in Syria, Staff Sgt. Nate Howard of Marshalltown and Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar of Des Moines.

“Their losses felt deeply across all our formations, across our state and across our nation,” Osborn said. 

He then invited Deputy State Chaplain Lt. Col. Jeremy Taylor to lead a prayer.

“Yet even in this time of sorrow, we have witnessed something powerful, the strength, the unity and the compassion of the state of Iowa,” Osborn said after the prayer. “On behalf of the entire Iowa National Guard, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of care and respect shown to our fallen heroes and their families.”

Osborn said that after the recent events, the question of why the Guard is in Syria has been a commonly asked question.

“The Iowa National Guard is in Syria and many other locations around the world, because the National Guard is a critical, critical piece of America,” Osborn said. “It is both a shielded home and a sword overseas, an indispensable pillar of national security.”

He went on to call the National Guard a core component of the U.S. military’s total force, adding that it makes up 40% of the Army and 30% of the Air Force operational force.

“I am proud to say the Iowa National Guard ended fiscal year 25 at a 99.8% strength and an 82% percent retention rate,” Osborn said. “And as I speak today, the Iowa National Guard is over 100% strength, with 8,931 soldiers and airmen assigned and continuing to grow.”

Over the next decade, Osborn said the U.S. military, including the Iowa National Guard, will undergo one of the most significant periods of modernization in its history.

“This transformation is driven by a rapidly changing environment, one defined by technology, speed, data, precision and competition across all domains,” he said.

While he said focus remains on dedicated service members, he acknowledged the significance of tech in military progress.

“Technologically, the force will become more integrated, lethal and resilient,” Osborn said. “Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities and space assets will be woven together through secure networks that will allow our commanders to sense, decide and act faster than any adversary.”

In taking steps forward, Osborn said infrastructure also plays a key part. He said plans for the $220 million repair and replacement of the runway at Sioux Gateway Airport, which the 185th Air Refueling Wing uses, still need a final appropriation of funds despite being greenlit by the president through the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

In closing, Osborn laid out his three key priorities for the Guard going into 2025:

“First, our people remain at the center of everything we do. Recruiting, developing and supporting our service members and their families is key to readiness and to their success, both in uniform and beyond. Second, we will continue to conduct challenging and realistic training that prepares our force for the increasingly complex missions at home and abroad. And finally, we are modernizing our force structure, our infrastructure and our equipment to meet emerging threats. This transformation strengthens the readiness of the Iowa National Guard, while creating opportunity for Iowa through economic growth, job creation and stronger communities, ensuring the Iowa National Guard remains ready for the future.”

Watch the full address here.