Oregon National Guard Breaks Ground for New Facility in Salem

Congresswoman Darlene Hooley is credited with securing just over $6.5 million in federal funds for the project, which the Oregon National Guard has had on the drawing board since 1990.

Photos: Sgt. Nick Choy

(SALEM) - The Oregon National Guard held a ground breaking ceremony at their Army Aviation Facility at McNary Field in Salem today, for a new facility to house two of their units. Oregon Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, the Adjutant General for the Oregon National Guard, and Mr. Danny Santos, Senior Policy Advisor for Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski, joined other senior officials from the Oregon National Guard for the ceremonial ground breaking. The new 39,000 square foot facility will be the new home of two Oregon Army National Guard units -- the 102nd Civil Support Team, and elements of the Oregon Army National Guard's 1042nd Medical Company already headquartered at the Salem Airport. Hooley is credited with securing just over $6.5 million in federal funds for the project, which the Oregon National Guard has had on the drawing board since 1990. The 102nd CST supports civil and federal authorities in the event of a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incident, providing assessment and first-response support. The Oregon National Guard's 1042nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance) provides full-time support for MEDEVAC, fire-fighting, search and rescue (SAR), and other aviation missions throughout the state.