The Associated Press

Tue, May 20, 2008 (12:12 p.m.)

Gov. Jim Gibbons, who went to Iraq to meet with Nevadans on duty there and to be briefed by U.S. military officials, said Tuesday that he wanted to ensure that the troops know "our entire state is standing behind them."

The governor's trip was organized by the Defense Department. Gibbons' delegation also included Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

About 140 Nevada Army and Air National Guard members currently are in Iraq, mostly in Camp Bucca in southern Iraq. Most are in the Army Guard's 72nd Military Police Company, made up largely of soldiers based in Henderson. Also in Iraq are members of a Henderson-based 140th Military Police Brigade detachment.

While he's a politician, Nevada's Republican governor also has extensive military experience. He was a combat pilot during the Vietnam War and a reconnaissance pilot during the first Gulf War. He retired from the Nevada Air Guard as vice commander in late 1994.