U.S. Senator Joni Ernst gives high praise to Iowa Guard Published Aug. 26, 2016 By Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot 185th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- United States Senator from Iowa Joni Ernst, visited Airman at the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa, Aug. 25. The visit comes on the heels of a major readiness inspection held at the Iowa Air Guard base in Sioux City which culminated on Monday. While holding up a copy of the Sioux City Journal showing a front page story about the success of the inspection, Senator Ernst congratulated unit members who were gathered in the wing dining facility. Ernst, who retired from the Iowa National Guard last fall assured unit members that they have her full support and that she values their input. "Any time I'm visiting one of our great Iowa National Guard units, whether it's Army Guard or Air Guard I'm looking for feedback from the members on what is going well" said Ernst "I also want to know what we can do better, especially in the federal government." Although the visit was not planned to coincide with the recent inspection, the timing of the two events gave 185th Wing leadership the opportunity to showcase the activities and mission of the Air Refueling Wing which is celebrating its 70th year in Sioux City this year. During the visit Senator Ernst was taken on a short tour of the Air Guard base located at the Sioux City municipal airport, where she had an opportunity to walk through a KC-135 Aircraft flown by the Air Refueling Wing. "I have not seen anything like this, the high quality of workmanship and care that goes into the maintenance of these planes is exemplary, this is typical of the Iowa Guard." said Ernst.