August 3, 2015
FORT POLK, La. – As technology evolves into the 21st century, the threat of the improvised explosive device, or IED, still remains a deadly problem in today’s overseas contingency operations.
More than 2,000 Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard are currently training at the U.S. Army Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, La. Counter-IED operations are just one piece of the rigorous, relevant and realistic training the Iowa Soldiers will receive during their three-week rotation.
Iowa Army National Guard Maj. Evan Starcevic, a Force Integration Readiness Officer at Joint Forces Headquarters, Johnston, Iowa, deployed to Iraq from 2004-2006 with Company C, 224th Engineer Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard. He said the training from that time frame wasn’t as in-depth as it is now.