(IOWA) -- Iowa officials are responding to the deaths of Iowa National Guard members in Syria on December 13. An ISIS gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon in the central Syrian town of Palmyra, killing two Iowa National Guard soldiers and an American civilian translator. Three other Iowa National Guard members were injured. The U.S. has about 15-hundred troops stationed in the northeastern part of Syria as part of an effort to monitor the remnants of ISIS.

"Our worst fear came true. The two U.S. soldiers killed in Syria were members of the Iowa National Guard. Just a few months ago, I stood with our Guardsmen in Iowa City and Davenport as they deployed. Now we mourn two heroes taken too soon. Please pray for their families, for the rest of our Guard, and for all those still serving. Iowa will never forget."

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01)

--

“Barbara and I are heartbroken by the loss of two brave Iowans on a counter-terrorism mission in Syria. These soldiers and the civilian interpreter who was with them paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever indebted to them for their service to our country. My prayers are with their families, loved ones, fellow soldiers and Iowans as we mourn this terrible tragedy. We also pray for the full recovery of the three Iowans who suffered injuries.”

-U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)

--

"The National Guard represents the best of us – citizens always ready to protect and serve their neighbors," Hart's statement said. "May the families of these brave Iowa soldiers know that the entire state of Iowa grieves for them and send our sincerest sympathies to them for their unbelievable loss.”

Rita Hart, Iowa Democratic Party Chair

--

“Please join me in praying for the families of these American heroes. Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded. These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”

-U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)

--
"Praying for the families of the two Iowa National Guard soldiers who were killed in Syria today. A reminder of all that our National Guard sacrifice to protect our country and freedom."

Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State

--

"Earlier today, two Iowa soldiers were ruthlessly killed in an ambush that can only be described as evil. They were on a counter terrorism mission to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and they will forever be remembered as vigilant Iowa warriors."

-Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House (R-New Hartford)

--

"Tonight, we come together as a state and as a nation to mourn the heartbreaking loss of two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria, and three others wounded in action. These brave Iowans are among the nearly 2,000 Guardsmen forward deployed to USCENTCOM, risking their lives to protect America from ISIS terrorists.

Tonight, I shared with the President the strong history of Iowa’s National Guard service and our citizen-soldiers. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten. I counseled the President, “Peace through Strength” demands swift action—to protect our warriors still manning the frontline and to hold those responsible accountable."

Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa)

Nebraska's Morning News