1st Bn 194th Field Artillery

12/30/2025

Soldiers of Task Force Redleg had the opportunity to certify in level one combatives. For 1st Lt. Jose Anaya, training soldiers in this skill is nothing new. Anaya graduated from the Modern Army Combatives Program Course in October of 2015 as a Master Combatives Instructor while he was prior enlisted as a staff sergeant. Given the opportunity to create and implement a training plan, he ran with it. Anaya sacrificed sleep to stay up with a small group to start training.

“I’ve always been seeking for an opportunity, and with the availability of our soldiers to train, along with the environment and resources to do so, this allowed me to achieve that goal,” said Anaya “A lot of the soldiers have had the opportunity in the past to train combatives but never the chance to get certified in the 40-hour level one course.” Anaya is not the only one sacrificing sleep though – each of the soldiers in the course are taking part outside of their normal workday to improve their skills as warfighters.

12/28/2025

The holiday season is in full swing across the Middle East, as Task Force Redleg soldiers celebrated with one another and virtually with families on Christmas day.

Headquarters Battery 1-194 Field Artillery
Alpha Battery 1-194th Field Artillery
B Battery 1-194 Field Artillery
Fox Co. 334 BSB

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard and Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery Regiment, 34th Infantry Division attended a memorial service honoring Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, and Ayad Sakat, who were killed in action while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve while serving in counterterrorism operations in Palmyra, Syria, Dec. 13, 2025.

The memorial was attended by Task Force Redleg Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Knutson and Lt. Col. Matthew Guerttman and fellow soldiers to honor their sacrifice and reflect on their service. Remarks were delivered by Capt. Joshua Coulson, Chaplain, emphasizing the fallen’s dedication to the mission.

"We can mourn together. This is one of the reasons we gather like this to remember. Today we remind ourselves that we are not alone. We have each other. We are one team, one fight. We share in training, We share in triumph, and we share in tragedy together."

The service was held to recognize their ultimate sacrifice in the enduring defeat of ISIS, honoring their role in promoting regional security and the enduring partnership between U.S. forces and coalition partners.

11/27/2025

11/19/2025

Soldiers from Task Force Redleg recently tested their strength in the prestigious 1,000 and 500 Pound Clubs, competing against one another, and themselves, for the title. Each competitor’s total was decided by their maximum one-repetition bench press, squat, and deadlift combined.

Twenty-one soldiers from Redleg and supporting units joined the 1,000-Pound Club. The top three lifters were:

1st Lt. Tyler Piotter - 1,305 lbs
1st Sgt. Cole Cooley - 1,140 lbs
Sgt. Caden Fenger - 1,125 lbs

In the 500-Pound Club, only two soldiers gained their title. Staff Sgt. Alexandria Bierstedt and Spc. Sydney Buehler both reached impressive totals of 605 lbs.

10/03/2025

Due to lapse in appropriations, updates to social media platforms will be limited.

09/29/2025

☕ Happy National Coffee Day from 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery!! ☕

From iced to hot, light to dark roast, coffee fuels soldiers in every form—from morning brews to tiramisu desserts.

But when it comes to coffee devotion, can anyone top Sgt. 1st Class Peter McAnally?
His legendary coffee mug has traveled to all 50 states, 16 countries, and is currently on its second deployment!
It somehow sneaks into nearly every photo taken of him.
Soldiers swear they’ve never seen it empty—rain, shine, or blazing desert heat.

The mug itself? One might say a veteran in its own right. Purchased in 1989, it lost its handle “in bits and pieces” over the years but continues to serve faithfully. When asked about its future, McAnally grinned and admitted he has a backup ready, for when this one finally retires.

Here’s to coffee, soldiers, and the mugs that make history right alongside us.

09/27/2025

The Redleg Newsletter shares stories and updates from across the Battalion, be sure to check if you are following your Soldiers respective Battery or Units page to stay up to date with all the happenings!

Headquarters Battery 1-194 Field Artillery
Alpha Battery 1-194th Field Artillery
B Battery 1-194 Field Artillery
Fox Co. 334 BSB