Amity Soldier Prepares for Deployment to Iraq‏

While this is his first deployment in support of Iraqi Freedom, he has been involved behind the scenes in the deployments of 6 units since 2001.

Sgt First Class Marcus Merrick of A-Company, 641 Aviation Battalion prepares to deploy to Iraq in support of Iraqi Freedom at Portland Air National Guard Base, October 13th, 2007

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Army National Guard mobilized an aviation battalion today in Portland Air National Guard Base for service in Iraq. First time deployee Sgt First Class Marcus Merrick, of Amity, Oregon, is the Unit Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of A- Company, 641 Aviation Battalion out of Portland. He takes a pragmatic approach to the mobilization. "It's a Double-edged sword. We are going into harm's way, but the deployment location is relatively safe. You have to be careful what you wish for." Sgt Merrick, an avid outdoorsman and bagpiper, is a combat medic with 22 years of military service.

While this is his first deployment in support of Iraqi Freedom, he has been involved behind the scenes in the deployments of 6 units since 2001.

He says he is proud of the service the unit provides, emphasizing they are "the aviation unit in theater for the warfighter on the ground."
Source: Oregon National Guard