More Than a Ribbon Cutting: An Inside Look at the Iowa National Guard in Fairfield
What began as a ribbon cutting turned into an experience few of us will soon forget.
The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce recently joined local business and civic leaders at the Fairfield Armory for a special Iowa National Guard Business Leader Event. The occasion celebrated the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB) establishing its headquarters in Fairfield—but the Iowa National Guard team used the opportunity to do much more than cut a ribbon.
They opened their doors, shared their stories and gave attendees an inside look at what it means to serve in the Iowa National Guard.
And they certainly made it memorable.
A New Headquarters in Fairfield
The move of the 185th CSSB headquarters to the Fairfield Armory strengthens the Iowa National Guard's presence in southeast Iowa.
Fairfield was selected in part because of its proximity to the battalion's subordinate units located throughout the southeast corner of the state. The central location improves command, coordination and the battalion's ability to support those units.
Its Fairfield location also positions a battalion headquarters in southeast Iowa that can help support domestic operations when emergencies such as floods and tornadoes affect the region.
That local readiness is just one part of a much larger mission.
During the event, Brigadier General William McClintock, State Quartermaster General, introduced attendees to the different areas of the Iowa National Guard, the work they perform and the units located throughout Iowa.
Jackie Schmillen, Director of Public Affairs for the Iowa Army National Guard, expanded that view with a dynamic overview of the Guard's many roles and shared ways community members and organizations can connect with the Iowa National Guard for information, resources and future collaborations.
For many in attendance, the scope of the Iowa National Guard's mission was eye-opening. Guard members may be called upon to respond to needs here at home—from severe weather and other emergencies—to missions that extend nationally and beyond.
Another takeaway was the level of readiness expected of Guard members. Many serve part-time while also maintaining civilian careers, yet train to the same standards expected when performing their military roles. When called upon, they are prepared to step into the mission alongside their full-time counterparts.
Citizen-Soldiers in Our Own Community
Two of the day's speakers offered especially meaningful examples of how military service and civilian careers intersect.
Sergeant First Class Eric Newman serves as a musician in the Iowa National Guard while also working as Vice President of Engineering at Dexter Laundry. Sergeant Nathaniel Peck, a culinary specialist and Fairfield-area native, works locally at Cranston Family Funeral Home.
Their stories offered a reminder that the men and women serving in the National Guard aren't removed from our communities. They are our coworkers, neighbors and local professionals—balancing civilian careers with a commitment to military service.
That connection also made the presentation on Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve especially relevant for the business leaders in attendance.
ESGR serves as a resource for employers and Guard and Reserve members, helping both better understand the responsibilities that come with employing someone who also serves in the military. For local employers, knowing those resources exist can make it easier to support employees as they balance civilian careers, training and military obligations.
A Fairfield Tradition More Than a Century in the Making
One of the most fascinating local connections shared during the event came from Chief Warrant Officer 2 William Scheidecker, Commander of the 34th Army Band.
The 34th Army Band is based right here at the Fairfield Armory—and its Fairfield roots run deep.
The band's official military lineage dates to November 11, 1918, but many of its original members came from a local group known as the Fairfield Band. Fairfield had a strong band tradition well before then, with roots reaching back at least to the 1880s.
For decades, the connection remained distinctly local. Until the 1990s, the majority of the 34th Army Band's members were from Fairfield or Jefferson County. Today, its musicians live throughout Iowa and, in some cases, beyond, while the band itself remains based in Fairfield. Its higher headquarters, the 67th Troop Command, is located in Iowa City.
Fairfield also played a role in Iowa's broader band history. In 1927, the first meeting of what became the Iowa Bandmasters Association was held at Fairfield's former armory east of the square. Its first president, William Laurier, was the military band commander at the time.
And we didn't just hear about the band—we got to experience it.
Members of the Army Band treated attendees to two lively pieces during the event, bringing an incredible amount of energy and entertainment to the room. It was easy to see why this group has such a long and proud history.
They Even Cooked to Impress
The Iowa National Guard team made sure the experience wasn't limited to presentations.
Attendees were invited through a military-style "chow line" for lunch—something we learned had never before been done for this type of event.
And let's just say they weren't serving an ordinary event lunch.
Sergeant Peck and the culinary team cooked to impress, giving attendees another glimpse into the skills found throughout the Guard. The food was mighty tasty, too.
But even after the presentations, music and lunch, the Iowa National Guard still had one surprise left.
A View of Fairfield We'll Never Forget
Waiting outside were two Black Hawk helicopters.
Three flights were made during the afternoon, with the two helicopters flying together and carrying approximately 11 passengers each. The Iowa National Guard was able to give every event attendee who wanted the experience an opportunity to fly.
Each group spent approximately 10 minutes in the air, circling Fairfield and seeing our community from a perspective most of us had never experienced before.
And just how special was the opportunity?
After all of the attendees had flown, there was enough room on the final flight for members of the culinary and Army Band teams to go up as well—including Guard members who don't routinely have the opportunity themselves.
For those of us fortunate enough to climb aboard, hearing the Black Hawks come to life, lifting off from the Fairfield Armory and then looking down over the entire community was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Building Connections in Fairfield
Major Chad Wallway, 185th CSSB Officer in Charge and Executive Officer, spoke about the headquarters' move to Fairfield and the unit's desire to develop stronger connections within the community.
That may ultimately be one of the most important takeaways from the day.
The Business Leader Event gave Fairfield's business and civic leaders an opportunity to better understand the people behind the uniforms—their careers, their training, their responsibilities and the role they play both here at home and beyond.
It also gave the Iowa National Guard an opportunity to become better connected with the community where the 185th CSSB is now headquartered.
The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce was proud to mark that growing relationship with an official ribbon cutting welcoming the Iowa National Guard as a Chamber member.
We extend our sincere thanks to Major Wallway and the entire Iowa National Guard team for the tremendous amount of planning, hospitality and effort that went into this event. From the presentations and conversations to the chow line, Army Band and unforgettable Black Hawk flights, they truly pulled out all the stops.
Most importantly, they gave us a much greater appreciation for the men and women who serve in the Iowa National Guard—and a better understanding of just how fortunate we are to have them as part of the Fairfield community.
Welcome to the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa National Guard.
Connect with the Iowa National Guard
Want to learn more about the Iowa National Guard, its mission, resources, career opportunities and work happening across the state? Stay connected online or reach out to the 185th CSSB right here in Fairfield.
185th CSSB – Fairfield Armory
1501 West Stone Ave.
Fairfield, IA 52556
Phone: (515) 331-5620
Learn More & Follow Along
- Website: IowaNationalGuard.com
- Facebook: Iowa National Guard on Facebook
- Instagram: @iowanationalguard
- YouTube: Iowa National Guard on YouTube
- LinkedIn: Iowa National Guard on LinkedIn
- Flickr: Iowa National Guard Photo Gallery
- X: @IowaNatGuard
For additional resources—including Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Community Relations, family services and more—visit the Iowa National Guard Linktree.
