Branstad authorizes more National Guard security at Iowa facilities, recruiting stations

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad on Wednesday authorized the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard to strengthen current security measures and arm additional personnel at Guard facilities and recruiting stations under his purview.

Branstad, as the commander-in-chief of the Iowa National Guard, issued the directive to Major Gen. Timothy Orr after earlier this week asking Guard leaders to review security at all Iowa facilities in the wake of last week's shooting in Chattanooga, Tenn.

'I am pleased the Iowa National Guard, under the exemplary leadership of Major General Timothy Orr, already had active security measures in place that included armed security at certain facilities before the terrorist attack in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last week,” Branstad said in a statement.

Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire at a military recruiting office and a Navy-Marine operations center in Chattanooga last Thursday, killing four Marines. A sailor wounded in the attack died Saturday.

'These brave men and women go to work every day to protect our state and nation,” Branstad said in his statement. 'Today's action strengthens current security measures and gives Major General Timothy Orr the authorization to arm additional soldiers, at his discretion, at Iowa National Guard facilities and recruiting stations to protect themselves and others from danger.”

The announcement comes following Branstad's meeting with Iowa's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday where the Iowa leaders discussed further collaboration to strengthen security measures - including authorizing military servicemen and servicewomen - to be armed at military facilities and recruiting stations that are not under the Iowa National Guard's purview.

On Monday, Branstad announced that he would take the additional step of seeking federal cooperation to address the issue nationally.

As the co-chair of the Council of Governors, a group appointed by the president which advises federal officials on matters related to national security and the National Guard, Branstad said he will seek federal support to review policies on National Guard bases, military instillations and at recruiting stations to ensure our nation's soldiers are safe and secure. The Iowa governor said he planned to raise the issue during Thursday's meeting of the group of governors who advise federal officials on security matters.