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Sen. Joni Ernst retires from Iowa National Guard

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U. S. Sen. Joni Ernst has retired from the Iowa Army National Guard.

Calling her time in the military one of her "greatest honors," Ernst announced Tuesday that she had retired from the role.

In a statement, she said she was focusing on her work as a senator and spending time with her family.

A lieutenant colonel, Ernst served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard. Ernst served as company commander in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Her retirement was effective Nov. 30.

Ernst is currently serving her first term in the U.S. Senate. She was elected in 2014 after a campaign that emphasized her military experience.

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