Denver, CO — Congressman Polis apparently has no idea that the Colorado National Guard is engaged in the war on terror.

9News’ Kyle Clark asked Congressman Polis about the dangerous precedent a Governor Polis would set if he refused the President’s request for National Guard troops for political reasons.

Kyle Clark: “Sure, but this idea that I won’t give the President access to our National Guard troops if I think it’s political. You could use the same rational to not allow someone fight in Afghanistan or Iraq, is that dangerous?”

Jared Polis: “Well, it wouldn’t be Colorado National Guard units going to Afghanistan or Iraq, it would be, you know, U.S. Military.”

Despite what Congressman Polis believes, National Guard troops routinely deploy to Afghanistan and Iraq and play a critical role in the war on terror. As Military.com notes, “It’s no secret that the National Guard played a large role in the war on terror. Guard and Reserve units made up about 45 percent of the total force sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, and received about 18.4 percent of the casualties. With hundreds of thousands of men and women having served, the National Guard has more than earned a place of remembrance for its part in the 14 year war.”

“As an Air National Guard Forward Air Controller who deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, I’m appalled that someone who wants to be our next governor and have command of the Colorado National Guard is so ignorant that he doesn’t even know about the National Guard’s involvement in the war on terror,” said Lang Sias. “Our National Guardsmen have fought and died for our country. Those killed and wounded include members of the Air National Guard unit I commanded and the Army National Guard Brigade to which we were attached. The next governor should recognize the sacrifice these men and women have made to protect our freedom. While Congressman Polis seems to have no idea what the National Guard even does, I know Walker will be a governor who always supports our troops.”

Additional Background on National Guard Troops Involved in the War on Terror:
Colorado National Guard Troops have deployed to Afghanistan on several occasions and are a part of the war on terror. Many National Guard Troops have also been wounded or killed in action overseas. According to a September 2018 Congressional Research Service report, there were 219 National Guard casualties and 1,673 wounded in action during Operation Enduring Freedom;  and there were 497 National Guard casualties and 4,181 Guardsmen wounded in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom.