Salem-News.com National Guard articles Page 3

Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers Ready for Iraq Deployment

Soldiers from Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Washington, California, and Wyoming are part of the Oregon Guard group deploying to Iraq.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Guard's 234 Engineer Company, based in Warrenton, will complete their final training this week in Camp Shelby, Miss., certifying their skills as they head to Kuwait to begin their Iraq deployment.

The Engineer Company has been at Camp Shelby since leaving Salem, Oregon on July 13th of this year. During their yearlong deployment, they will conduct convoy security operations throughout Iraq.

Oregon Air Guard Forces Deploy to Kyrgystan

Manas AB serves as a staging point for United States and other coalition aircraft, particularly for Afghanistan.

(KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.) - More than 30 Airmen from the 173rd Security Forces Squadron located at Kingsley Field will mobilize Friday for a six month deployment to Manas Airbase, Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Oregon Guardsman Finds You Are Never to Old to Serve Your Country

Many of his fellow Oregon Soldiers had yet to be born when Gholston deployed to Vietnam in 1975.

(FORT DIX, N.J.) - Sgt. 1st Class Michael Gholston comes off the firing line and takes off his Kevlar helmet. Large droplets of sweat stream down his face. Gholston wipes the sweat from his brow and looks around at his fellow Oregon National Guard Soldiers.

At 52-years-of-age, Gholston stands out from his fellow Soldiers, all of which are in their 20s or 30s.

His hair is several shades greyer and his face is more lined, but as the other Soldiers take a short respite from the day's training by sitting in the shade of a tree, Gholston remains standing.

Oregon Military Facilities Slated for Federal Funds

“Our Guard and Reserves serve all over the world and we need to ensure they are prepared when called into harm’s way,” Senator Smith said.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) today announced that more than $15 million has been included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction appropriations bill for various construction projects in the state of Oregon.

The committee also announced its support for the construction of a long term care facility at the Walla Walla VA Medical Center.

“From creating classroom space to giving prime land back to the cities, these projects are excellent examples of National Guard and Reserves projects benefiting the communities they serve,” said Senator Wyden.

More Oregon Army National Guard Return from Afghanistan this Weekend

Oregon Guard soldiers have had a long, slow ride home.

(SALEM, Ore.) - More soldiers from the 41st Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to return to this weekend.

The first flight with 140 soldiers will arrive in Portland at approximately 4:00 PM. A second flight with 112 soldiers will arrive Sunday around 6:00 AM.

Salem, Oregon Group Donates Walking Canes to Injured National Guard Soldiers

The group presented Soldiers with hand-carved walking canes.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A Salem, Ore. senior group has turned their collective hobby of carving into a philanthropic endeavor.

About ten members of the Capitol Carvers made the three-hour drive to Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Wash., to meet with National Guard Soldiers who are recovering at MAMC from wounds received while deployed to the Middle East.

More Oregon Army Guard Troops Headed to Iraq

Several 224 Soldiers were originally a part of the B-52 Engineer Co., which deployed to Iraq in 2003.

(ALBANY, Ore. ) - The Oregon Army National Guard has announced the second mobilization of the 224 Engineer Company based in Albany, Ore.

This marks the second deployment for this unit which prior to the Army's reorganization was Bravo Company, 52 Engineers which was one of the first units from Oregon to deploy to Iraq in 2003.

The ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 3rd at 1:00 PM at the Linn County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Albany, Ore. The Linn County Fairgrounds is located at 3700 Knox Butte Rd.

Ceremony Ends Oregon Guard Deployment in Afghanistan

Soldiers will be returning to Oregon after completion of their outprocessing at Ft. Carson, Colo.

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - In a ceremony held on May 28th, South Carolina officially received authority for Combined Joint Force Phoenix in Afghanistan.

This marks the end of the deployment for the men and women from the 41st Brigade Combat Team of the Oregon Army National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Douglas A. Pritt, of Salem, Ore. outgoing commander of Combined Joint Force Phoenix V in Afghanistan received a special presentation in Afghanistan.

Memorial Day F-15 Oregon Flyovers Announced

The Oregon Air National Guard has been an integral part of the nation's air defense since 1941.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - The Oregon Air National Guard will salute America's fallen heroes and veterans with flyovers for various ceremonies at locations throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington on Memorial Day.

Two F-15 Eagle jet fighters from the 142nd Fighter Wing will depart the Portland Air Base.

All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and 350 knots airspeed.

More Oregon Guard Troops Return Home Tonight from Afghanistan

This deployment marked the largest wartime deployment of Oregon Army National Guardsmen since World War II when the 41st Infantry Division was mobilized for service.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - More than 60 soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to return to Oregon tonight between 11:30 PM 12:30 AM.

Guard Spokesman Capt. Mike Braibish, says The contract flight will land at the Portland Air National Guard Base. The soldiers will then be transported to the Jackson Armory located at 6255 NE Cornfoot Road in Portland, Ore. where their families and friends are invited to await their arrival for the initial welcome home.