Oregon National Guard Celebrates Renovations To The W.D. Jackson Armory In Portland (Photo) -04/04/25

Story by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, hosted a formal ribbon cutting ceremony on April 4, 2025, to officially unveil the recently completed renovations to the facility.

Presiding over the occasion, Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General of Oregon, said that the upgrades and renovations will continue to serve “as a cornerstone for training, readiness, and community engagement into the future."

“The scope of these renovations is impressive,” he said, magnifying some of the projects goals. “The facility now boasts new water lines, seismic upgrades, energy-efficient windows, new flooring, fresh paint inside and out, and updated bathrooms. They represent our investment in the future of the Oregon National Guard.”

Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will now extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. The renovations are part of the U.S. Army Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP) and are funded by a combination of federal resources and bond sales by the State of Oregon.

Additionally, dilapidated roads were replaced, backup generators were installed, and caged storage areas for equipment were created. Facility designs were provided by BBL Architects, focusing on cost-effective and energy-efficient improvements for the Oregon Military Department.

“This project exemplifies what we can accomplish through partnership and collaboration. I want to recognize the tremendous work of the Oregon Military Department, AGI Construction, P&C Construction, and BBL Architects,” Gronewold said.

The two-story building, located on the southern edge of the Portland Air National Guard Base, was officially renamed in 1975 as the William D. Jackson Armory in honor of the former Commander of Battery ‘A’ of the 148th Field Artillery in Portland.  

""Over the last 60 years, the Jackson Armory has been a gathering point for Oregon Citizen-Soldiers. It has supported domestic operations, multiple deployments to Iraq, and most recently the mobilization of the Battalion this summer to Iraq and Syria,” said Lt. Col. Anna Robledo, Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery. “We are very grateful for the support from the Oregon Military Department, our state, and our partners in the community of Portland who made these upgrades possible.”

The armory stands as a symbol of dedication and mission readiness, housing both the Alpha and Charlie Batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, part of the 41st Infantry Combat Team, alongside the 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Over the past several years, soldiers have committed themselves to rigorous preparations for deployments and the warm reunions with family members at the armory - vividly illustrating the resiliency and unity that the armory embraces.

 “The halls are quiet today at Jackson Armory as our rear detachment is continuing their training over at the coast, and our brothers and sisters in arms continue their defensive operations in the Middle East,” Robledo said.

Approximately 230 members of the unit were mobilized on August 9, 2024, to support Operation Inherent Resolve, which was directed to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to defeat terrorist elements throughout the Central Command Area of Responsibility.

The W.D. Jackson Armory also houses the Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, whose most recent mobilization sent them to Poland in support of the European Deterrence Initiative as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve in April 2021, returning home in January 2022.

“I am proud that the Oregon National Guard remains the service of choice for Oregonians. Our Citizen-Soldiers come from every corner of this great state, bringing diverse skills, perspectives, and a shared commitment to service,” Gronewold said, emphasizing the impact of the renovations for the service members assigned to the armory. “They deserve facilities that match their dedication, and Jackson Armory now stands as an example of our promise to provide exactly that.”

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Released Photos: 

250404-Z-CH590-1117: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General of Oregon (center-left) and Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Anna Robledo, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Commander (center-right) and other dignitaries cut a ceremonial ribbon to highlight recent renovations at the Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 2025. Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250404-Z-CH590-1078: Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Anna Robledo, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Commander, addresses those in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony held at the Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 2025. Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250404-Z-CH590-1048: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General of Oregon, addresses those in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony held at the Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, on April 4, 2025. Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250404-Z-CH590-1152: A renovated classroom and meeting space at the Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, was officially unveiled during the formal ribbon cutting ceremony held on April 4, 2025. Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250404-Z-CH590-1160: The Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, hosted a formal ribbon cutting ceremony on April 4, 2025, highlighting the recent renovations. Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250404-Z-CH590-1143: A fresh coat of paint and other upgrades to the halls and stairwell at Oregon Army National Guard’s W.D. Jackson Armory, located in Portland, Oregon, were officially unveiled during the formal ribbon cutting ceremony held on April 4, 2025. Initially constructed in 1963 and featuring an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991, this $9.4 million renovation project will extend the armory’s lifespan for another 25 years. (Air National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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Media Advisory: Oregon National Guard To Host Ribbon-cutting Rededication Ceremony For Jackson Armory Renovations (Photo) -04/02/25

SALEM, Ore. - A formal ribbon-cutting rededication ceremony for the recently completed renovations at the W.D. Jackson Armory of the Oregon Army National Guard, located in Portland, Oregon, is scheduled to be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General of Oregon, will preside over the event, which will include elected officials, members from the City of Portland as well as other Oregon National Guard dignitaries to commemorate the rededication.

“The Oregon Military Department is excited to announce completion of a $9.4 million renovation of the W.D. Jackson Armory which is now available to support the Oregon National Guard and the local community,” said Mr. Todd Farmer, director of the Oregon Military Department Installations Division. “This renovation extends the life of this important facility by at least 25 years and demonstrates OMD’s commitment to Portland.”

The armory was originally constructed in 1963 and features an additional 6,100-square-foot storage building added in 1991. The renovations are part of the U.S. Army Service Life Extension Program (ASLEP) and are funded by a combination of federal resources and bond sales by the State of Oregon.

The upgrades feature new water lines, HVAC units, seismic enhancements, energy-efficient windows, new flooring, fresh paint, and updated bathroom facilities. Additionally, dilapidated roads were replaced, backup generators were installed, and caged storage areas for equipment were created. Facility designs were provided by BBL Architects, focusing on cost-effective and energy-efficient improvements for the Oregon Military Department.

The armory is currently home to both the Alpha and Charlie Batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, which is part of the 41st Infantry Combat Team, as well as the 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, part of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Members of the media who wish to attend the ceremony can contact Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, Public Affairs Director for the Oregon Military Department.

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Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program Earns Outstanding Rating In National Inspection (Photo) -03/18/25

BEND, Ore. — The Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program (OYCP) has become the first in the nation to receive an "outstanding" rating under new federal evaluation criteria, program director Frank Tallman announced.

The program, Oregon's only accredited statewide alternative high school, underwent a comprehensive four-day on-site inspection by the National Guard Bureau's (NGB) Youth Programs Division as part of its regular three-year evaluation cycle.

"This is outstanding recognition to the staff, to the cadets, to the state, to our federal partners — everybody that helps the program had a part of this," Tallman said. "It's a great accomplishment."

Inspectors evaluated four main areas: operation compliance, operation performance, resource compliance, and resource performance. OYCP received the highest possible overall rating under a new manual implemented last year.

The program currently serves 161 cadets with 63 staff members. According to Tallman, the most recent class was the program's largest graduating class ever with 165 cadets, and the current class began with a record 191 cadets.

"Since COVID, we've seen a steady uptick in applications," Tallman said. "We're seeing a bigger need across the state for kids applying to the program."

While the facility has capacity for up to 240 cadets per class, Tallman noted the program has not seen funding rise at the federal level for the past three years, limiting staff hiring. Despite funding constraints, demand for the program continues to grow across Oregon's 36 counties.

The Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program offers a free alternative education option through two phases: a 22-week residential phase where cadets live on-site focusing on academic instruction, followed by a 24-month post-residential phase where cadets return to their communities with continued support while working toward personal and placement goals.

The program, administered by the Oregon National Guard, is one of 37 Youth ChalleNGe programs operating in 29 states nationwide. Each program undergoes an on-site inspection every three years, with self-assessments conducted during interim years.

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