following the events of 11 september multiple national guard units were activated for various reasons. the 185th was no different with the regiment activated for operation noble eagle, when it was assigned to guard military bases, airports, and other possible targets of opportunity. in late 2003 the 185th was activated again, this time in the wake of the invasion of iraq. this is not to be confused with the activation of the 185th armor regiment, which was activated at the same time. in 2005, the unit returned from active duty. in 2006, headquarters company was activated, and was deployed to camp bucca, iraq for a year.