WASHINGTON DC (March 29, 2019) — Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley of Iowa today issued the following statement congratulating Major General Timothy Orr on his upcoming retirement as Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard.
“General Orr has served his county and Iowa admirably over the course of his 40-year career. He oversaw the largest federal mobilization in Iowa since World War II and led multiple disaster-response efforts in Iowa and other states. He is an outstanding leader and public servant and he will be missed. I wish him the best in whatever he pursues next,” Sen Grassley said.
Maj Gen Orr first enlisted in the Iowa National Guard in 1978 and was appointed Adjutant General in 2009. He ensured the success of the Iowa National Guard in both day-to-day operations and critical mobilizations and was a voice for securing continued missions for the 132nd Airbase in Des Moines. He has also been a voice for Iowa, creating the Home Base Iowa program with the state government to attract veterans to fill critical shortages in the labor market and continue their service in the National Guard.
He also initiated a partnership between the Iowa National Guard and the Kosovo Security Force. Through Orr’s leadership, the initial partnership grew into the “Whole of Iowa/Whole of Kosovo” approach, which fosters connections and relationships in the civilian sector as well as the military. This innovative approach is a model for other states’ guard units and has bolstered strong connections between communities in Iowa and those in Kosovo, as well between the United States and Kosovo. The initial partnership with the National Guard also resulted in the establishment of the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo in Des Moines, a first for the state.
The Iowa National Guard announced yesterday that Maj. Gen. Orr will be retiring effective May 1, 2019.
