Less than two months after two Iowa National Guard soldiers were killed in Syria, about 250 of their fellow guardsmen walked back onto Iowa soil to applause and waiting families inside a hangar at the Des Moines International Airport. The ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 11 marked one of several phased returns for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, which has been deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Another group of soldiers returned Wednesday during a separate ceremony in Sioux City. When the hangar doors opened, soldiers marched in single file in front of a massive American flag draped inside, pausing for a moment of silence and prayer before being released to reunite with loved ones who rushed forward with signs and open arms. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #DesMoines #Iowa #DSMUSA #IowaNationalGuard