Ernst, Young visit U.S. troops in Middle East

CEDAR RAPIDS - Members of Iowa's congressional delegation spent part of their Thanksgiving recess spreading holiday cheer to United States military personnel in overseas postings.

Sen. Joni Ernst led a bipartisan congressional delegation that included Iowa 3rd District Rep. David Young to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait to thank service members for their efforts Nov. 16-21.

Ernst, chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, Young and the others also met with senior military and diplomatic leaders in the region to receive updates on continued anti-terrorism efforts, including the fight against ISIS and the Taliban.

As subcommittee chairwoman, Ernst coordinated classified briefings so the delegation could hear directly from special operators and their chain of command about battlefield realities. She also led diplomatic discussions regarding stability efforts concurrent with operations Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Resolute Support in Afghanistan, and follow-on strategies.

Ernst, a former company commander in the Iowa National Guard and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, also visited with approximately 35 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers stationed at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan and others throughout the region.

It was an honor to visit with the service members 'who are away from their loved ones at the holidays, and to thank them for the sacrifices they make - and those of their families - to protect all that we hold dear,” Ernst said.

Young called the service personnel 'the bravest among us” and said it was an honor to meet them, 'hear their stories and collect messages to send back to their loved ones.”

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