Johnston, IA — The Iowa National Guard, Friday, announced the opening of its newest readiness center in West Des Moines on National Guard Road beginning in 2025. This space will encompass Service Members with expertise in infantry and logistics. It will also be a shared community space with the West Des Moines Fire Department, enhancing the emergency response to the local area while allowing Iowa Guard members to serve their state close to home.

When fully operational, the new facility will house Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 168th Infantry, and the 2168th (21-68th) Transportation Company, totaling 229 Soldiers. With the addition of the new readiness center the Iowa National Guard has made the difficult decision to close the Shenandoah Armory located in Page County. Plans are now in motion to transfer and consolidate Bravo Company, 1-168 Infantry Battalion- all 132 authorized positions – from their current locations in Shenandoah and Camp Dodge to the West Des Moines Readiness Center upon its completion in 2025. Joining them will be 97 Service Members of the 2168th Transportation Company from Sheldon and Sioux City.

Built in 1956, the Shenandoah facility is a landmark in the community, and officials with the Guard say the organization will work closely with city leaders to ensure that the process is seamless and respects the city-military partnership that warmly welcomed the Guard’s presence in the community for over 145 years. Of note, this reorganization will not impact the facilities in Sioux City and Sheldon.

The closure process includes an official sequence of events and timeline that is required by the Iowa Department of Public Defense and State Armory Board with full divestiture by Spring of 2025. The Adjutant General, Major General Stephen Osborn; State Quartermaster, Colonel Mike Harris; and Director of Construction, Facilities and Management, Colonel John Perkins will guide the city and state through key milestones that include the sale of state property.

As the National Guard adapts to modern global threats and conditions, realignment of resources and assets are required to meet them head on. This closure does not in any way reduce the Iowa National Guard’s state of readiness or equate to a loss of force structure