Oregon Soldiers Begin Returning Home from Afghanistan

As some soldiers prepare for a homecoming, others receive orders that they will head to Iraq by late summer.

(SALEM) - Almost 900 Oregon National Guard Soldiers are scheduled to return from the largest deployment of Oregon Soldiers since World War II.

The operation encompassed a sixteen month mobilization in Afghanistan. Oregon Guard members served with Oklahoma National Guard soldiers. The two units fought side by side in the World War Two South Pacific Campaigns, and they were the only U.S. Army units that joined U.S. Marines in those amphibious landing operations.

The 41st Brigade Combat Team deployed to lead Task Force Phoenix V in Kabul, Afghanistan. This task force in the country's northern region was assigned to train Afghan Security Forces as "Embedded Training Teams" since February 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

While the bases around Kabul were the main focus, Oregon soldiers were deployed all over Afghanistan.

The Soldiers are scheduled to arrive in stages over the next several weeks with the first already arriving at Ft. Carson, Colorado for demobilization.

And as these Soldiers begin to return home, another 300 citizen-soldiers prepare for deployment to Iraq.

The 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 224th Engineer Company and the 234th Engineer Company, have all received mobilization orders and are scheduled to deploy in the late spring and summer.

When called, Oregon Guardsmen continue to be ready and capable to perform both state and federal missions as needed.

Some of the Oregon soldiers who deployed to Afghanistan will not be taking part in ceremonies, they died in combat operations. Officials liked Oregon's Governor Ted Kulongoski, say their contributions will not be forgotten.

Oregon National Guard Sergeant Tane Baum was 30-years old when he died September 25th, 2005 southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan.

Tane served with the Army National Guard 113th Aviation Regiment of the Oregon Army National Guard.

Oregon National Guard Staff Sgt. Nathaniel B. (Brad) Lindsey was 38-years old when he died September 9th, 2006 in Shajoy, Afghanistan.

His hometown is Troutdale, Oregon. Brad served in the Army National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team, Portland, Oregon.

Oregon National Guard Sergeant Long N. Nguyen was 27-years old when he died February 10th in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan.

His hometown is Portland, Oregon Long served in the 141st Brigade Support Battalion, Portland, Oregon

He was attending Portland State University prior to the deployment and expressed an interest in joining the Guard Officers Leadership Development program to become a commissioned officer.

Oregon National Guard Warrant Officer Adrian B. Stump was 22-years old when he died September 25th, 2005 southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan.

Adrian served in the Army National Guard's 113th Aviation Regiment of the Oregon Army National Guard.

Sadly, these are only the Oregon Guard deaths from Afghanistan. It is important to note that many more have died in Iraq, and many Oregonians serve in other branches of the military. For more information on the others who have died in combat, or just to pay respect, visit: governor.oregon.gov/Gov/soldier/ong.shtml

Another extremely important site for information on war casualties is iraqwarheroes.org . The site is operated by Q. Madp of Portland, Oregon and has complete listings for casualties from the U.S. military and beyond.

Salem-News.com has many stories about these soldiers in our sectioned titled, "Dispatches from Afghanistan" here: Dispatches from Afghanistan