Salem-News.com National Guard articles Page 4

Guard`s Lack of Equipment Puts U.S. at Risk, Chief Says

Currently, equipping the Army and Air National Guard is managed by the respective services, and levels are based on units' wartime missions. This causes problems when states respond to multiple requirements.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congress must either fund equipment for the National Guard or accept the risks of an under-equipped strategic reserve, the Guard's top officer said today.

The Guard has only about half of the equipment it needs, Army National Guard Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security's subcommittee on management, investigations and oversight.

Men Rescued From Plane Crash by Salem Based Oregon Guard Helicopter

The two men were spotted late Monday night by the Guard crew in an OH-58 Kiowa who relayed their location to officials leading the search.

(ODELL LAKE) - Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger reports that two men were hoisted from the airplane crash scene at Odell Lake late Tuesday morning and have been transported by Oregon Army National Guard crews to St. Charles Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The men were recovered around 11:00 AM.

A helicopter crew from the Oregon Army National Guard conducted hoist extractions for both victims and took them to Saint Charles Medical Center in Bend. The two men are identified as 24-year old Justin Hall of Portland, and 21-year old Josh Stohr of Eugene.

UPDATE: Salem Based Oregon Guard Helicopter Launches to Aid Injured Female Hiker on Mt. Hood

The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard departed Timberline Lodge en route to Hogs Back and had the rescue underway at 9:40 PM.

(Mount Hood) - The Oregon Army National Guard launched a Blackhawk helicopter Tuesday evening for a night rescue operation on Mt. Hood where a 45-year old woman who had been hiking, received injuries.

Equipped with night vision goggles, the crew departed Salem at approximately 5:30 PM to conduct the rescue hoist operation near a place called Hogs Back on Mt. Hood.

PFC Ryan Hill will Return Home to Oregon Wednesday

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at the Peoples Church, 4500 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem.

(SALEM) - PFC Ryan J. Hill from Keizer who lost his life in an IED blast in Iraq on January 20th will be returned to Oregon on Wednesday between 11:15 AM and 11:30 AM.

From Portland, there will be a procession from Portland to the AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home in Albany.

The family of PFC Hill would welcome citizens to be present along the route to show their support and pay respects for one of Oregon's Fallen Soldiers.

A Man of God and War in Afghanistan (VIDEO)

Tim King reports
DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - When a Chaplain blesses the convoy you are about to head out on in war torn Afghanistan, and as Tim King reports, it brings a certain amount of serious thought to the mission that lies ahead.

IED's, ambushes and flags at half-mast are the constant reminders of mortality to the combat soldier. For a Chaplain like Captain Andrew Werner of the Oklahoma National Guard, the job of being a combat soldier and a man of God is one of many challenges.

FLASHBACK: White Out Conditions Complicate Journey in Afghanistan`s High Country (VIDEO)

DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
A fair share of challenges face every military convoy moving through Afghanistan's high country during a winter storm. When it comes time to chain up a Humvee, you know it’s serious.

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - It has been a cold winter for Oregon Guard troops in Afghanistan and as Tim King tells us in this next report, travel through the country's mountains on Christmas day nearly ground to a standstill.

Our group of nine U.S. and Afghan Army trucks was on day two providing security for officers who were visiting a number of remote mountain forward operating bases.

Oregon Guard to Honor Governor With 19-Gun Salute, Fly-Over Monday

A military ceremony at 2:00 PM follows the Inauguration of Oregon's Governor, Ted Kulongoski to a second term in office.

(SALEM) - On Monday, following the Inauguration of Governor Ted Kulongoski for his second term as Governor and Commander in Chief of the Oregon National Guard, a ceremony will be held on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

One 19 gun howitzer salute will be performed by the Governor's Honor Battery, B Company, 218th Field Artillery from McMinnville.

During the ceremony, Court Street NE between Capitol Street NE and Winter Street NE will be closed to all traffic.

Oregon Army National Guard Re-Designates, Changes Command, of Aviation Unit in Salem

Every year the Oregon Army National Guard's 1042nd Med. Co. (AA) supports dozens of search and rescue operations throughout the state.

(Salem) - As part of the Army's Transformation program, the Oregon Army National Guard re-designated one of their aviation units in a formal re-flagging ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem on Saturday.

The 1042nd Medical Company guideon will be ceremoniously cased symbolizing the deactivation of the unit and a new guideon will be uncased signifying the activation of Charlie Company 7/158 General Support Aviation Battalion.

The unit also changed command during the ceremony.

Oregon Army National Guard Aviation Unit Re-Designated

The unit, commanded by Chief Warrant Officer Doug Walker, is based in Pendleton.

(PENDLETON) - As part of the Army's Transformation program, the Oregon Army National Guard redesignated one of their aviation units in eastern Oregon on Sunday.

Detachment 2, Lima Company, 151 Aviation Maintenance, was renamed Detachment 3, Bravo Company, 351 Aviation.

Also during the ceremony, representatives of Boeing Aircraft Corporation were presented with employer awards for their support of the Oregon Guard's aviation units.

Oregon Army Guard Officer Promoted to Brigadier General

A formal promotion celebration for Brigadier General Charles Yriarte will take place on Dec. 1st at 3:00 PM at the Anderson Readiness Center

(SALEM) - Charles Yriarte was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in a ceremony held on October 26th of this year at the St. Charles Hospital In Bend, Ore. where his father was undergoing treatment. His official federal recognition was effective on Oct. 16, 2006. He will serve in the Duty Position of Deputy Commander for Oregon as well as Commander of 82 Brigade, Troop Command headquartered in Lake Oswego.