Over Independence Day Weekend, Ernst Visits Iowa Troops Serving Overseas
The former Iowa National Guard commander and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities took part in an official multi-day tour overseas.
RED OAK, Iowa—As Americans around the world celebrated Independence Day this past weekend, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and a former commander in the Iowa Army National Guard, visited members of the Iowa National Guard deployed to Kosovo and other Iowa troops serving in Germany and Belgium, as part of an official multi-day visit to meet with U.S. military leaders—including European Command and Africa Command—NATO allies, and Kosovo government officials.
On July 4, Sen. Ernst addresses members of the Iowa National Guard deployed to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.
On July 4, Sen. Ernst helps serve food to members of the Iowa National Guard deployed to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo.
“As a former commander in the Iowa Army National Guard, I believe it’s important to recognize the selfless sacrifice of the men and women serving around the globe and at home. I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate Independence Day than alongside the Iowans protecting our nation in Kosovo—a close partner and Iowa’s sister state—and elsewhere,” said Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate.
Sen. Ernst meets with Iowa troops in Pristina, Kosovo.
Sen. Ernst meets with Iowans at the Benelux U.S. Army Garrison in Belgium.
“The U.S. continues to face threats around the globe, and there’s no doubt two of our leading adversaries are China and Russia. During this visit, I met with two U.S. operational commands to better understand our strategic operations in the European and African regions to combat malign activities from these near-peer adversaries,” said Ernst, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
Sen. Ernst meets with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Sen. Ernst meets with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.
Sen. Ernst meets with the Speaker of the Kosovo Parliament, Glauk Konjufca.
***Click HERE or on the images above for additional photos from the trip and downloadable links.
Background and Itinerary
Ernst participated in an official multi-day tour to Europe, beginning on Thursday, July 1. That day, Ernst met with and was briefed by U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where they discussed countering violent extremist groups on the rise in East Africa, such as Al Shabaab, AQIM, and Boko Haram, and the growing influence of Russia and China in the region.
On July 2nd, Ernst met with and was briefed by U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), including General Wolters, Supreme Allied Commander-Europe. They discussed the recent NATO summit and U.S.-NATO relations and operations specifically in regards to Russia and China.
Ernst also traveled to Brussels, Belgium, where she visited NATO Headquarters and the NATO Special Operations School and was briefed on the school’s training capabilities and participation of member nations. During the day, Ernst visited with Iowans stationed at U.S. Army Garrison Benelux.
On Saturday, July 3, Ernst traveled to Pristina, Kosovo, the nation’s capital. There, Ernst was hosted by Madam President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and other top Kosovo government officials, including the Minister of Defense and the Speaker of the Kosovo Parliament.
On Sunday, July 4, Ernst visited Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo where she met with members of the Iowa National Guard unit deployed there and celebrated Independence Day with the troops overseas. The unit is deployed as part of Iowa’s State Partnership Program with Kosovo.
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