Special Report: It's all about the mission for Iowa guard soldiers

CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – The Iowa National Guard cares less for comfort than for accomplishing its mission, which this month is preparing for deployment to Afghanistan.

“The mission is Job 1. There is no Job 2,”said Ssgt Luke Chatfield, 25, of Charles City, one of the few Iowa Guard members who has already served in Afghanistan.

The approximately 2,800 Iowa Guard members training here this month did so Thursday amid clouds of gnats and under glowering storm clouds that finally drenched the exterior of their heavy fatigues, just as perspiration had already drenched the interior.

Tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired as the soldiers qualified with their M4 rifles and other weapons.

Sgt. Martin Ennor, 24, of Cedar Rapids, a member of the 1-133rd Infantry's Bravo Company, shot the lights out, as he usually does, hitting 40 of 40 targets at distances ranging from 50 to 250 yards.

Ennor, a marksmanship instructor in both military and civilian life, said anyone who adheres to the principles of good marksmanship can shoot as well.

They are, he said, a steady position, trigger control, breath control and proper sight alignment.

Besides marksmanship, Guard members are learning other combat techniques that will help them accomplish their mission in Afghanistan.

Role-playing scenarios with realistic battlefield effects will be a big part of the Guard's three-week Ripley stint, said Brig. Gen. Tim Orr, the Iowaq Guard's adjutant general.

“It's a time to practice and rehearse, to learn to do what we'll need to do when we get there,” the general said.