The first group of what is anticipated to be more than two thousand Iowa National Guard soldiers activated for federal duty have been notified. Iowa National Guard spokesman, Colonel Mike Wunn, says the soldiers come from armories in Charles City, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Iowa Falls, Oelwein, and Waterloo.

Their area of operation involves 27 countries. The battalion is currently working to schedule send-off ceremonies for the end of May. Wunn says they will have an event next week to meet with organizations that will support the soldiers and their families while they are deployed.

This is the fifth federal mobilization for the Ironman Battalion since 2000.