Oregon Air National Guardsmen Welcomed Home from Middle East Deployment

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey M. Silver, Oregon Air National Guard Commander, presided over the ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Jeffery Silver, Commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, passes the State of Oregon flag to Senior Master Sgt. Jason Schroeder. Photo: U.S. Air National Guard/Master Sgt. Shelly Davison, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing, local dignitaries and family members welcomed home 39 Portland-based members of the 142nd Security Forces Squadron (142 SFS), who deployed to the Middle East for six months, during a ceremony, April 14, at Portland Air National Guard Base.

"Oregon Guardsmen put themselves in harm's way to work for our security abroad," said Col. Paul T. Fitzgerald, 142nd Fighter Wing Commander.

"A demobilization ceremony is public recognition of the sacrifice and efforts our Airmen made on behalf of our country."

Tapping into the robust and flexible nature of the National Guard, the 142 SFS members supported ongoing and emerging global security requirements in the U.S. Air Force's Central Command region.

Members of the 39-person team provided base security operations, operational logistics, anti-terrorism and training support.

"The enduring support and sacrifices made by the families and employers of all of these Airmen is critical to the National Guard's success," said Fitzgerald.

The Honorable Ellen Rosenblum, Attorney General for Oregon, was in attendance at the ceremony on behalf of the governor. Brig. Gen. Jeffrey M. Silver, Oregon Air National Guard Commander, also presided over the ceremony.

Source: Oregon Military Department