FORT DODGE, Iowa — On Sunday, the Iowa Air National Guard held an in-activation ceremony for the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge.

The 133rd Test Squadron was in service for more than 75 years and its main mission was to test equipment before use in the battlefield.

The Iowa National Guard said in a statement that the reason for the 133rd’s in-activation is due to the US Airforce restructuring.

“In 2023 the U.S. Air Force initiated divestment of certain mission sets as part of
restructuring for what they call the “Great Power Competition.” The mission of the
133d Test Squadron was removed from the Iowa Air National Guard as a result of
these realignment actions,” a press release stated.

The 133rd leaves behind a long legacy of testing experimental equipment for the military, something Brigadier General Mark Muckey, the Deputy Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard attests to.

“They absolutely had a dramatic impact on bringing new weapon systems to the battlefield with dramatic effect. And that happened here, a one of a kind facility, only one in the Air National Guard here at the 133rd.” Muckey said.

The air men and women of the 133rd will be reassigned to units in Sioux City and Des Moines.