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SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard hosted the 2024 Labor Summit at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem, Oregon, on November 14, 2024. Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, along with senior leaders and service members from both the Oregon Army and Air National Guard took part in presentations and hands on demonstrations, highlighting jobs, skills and benefits that the National Guard offers to employers in the local business community. 

The event consisted of various presentations for the skills and careers available in the Oregon National Guard. Some of the careers on display included aircraft, engineering, technology, and more. Attendees were able to tour different types of military vehicles and aircraft as well as speak to professionals in different fields of work.

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Released Photos:

241114-A-ET257-6918: (left to right) Chief of State Affairs, Oregon Military Department, Sean McCormick, Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Charles Patzner, Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, and Oregon Army National Guard Col. Russell Gibson pause for a photo at the Oregon National Guard 2024 Labor Summit held at the Army Aviation Support Facility, in Salem, Oregon, November 14, 2024. Members of both the Oregon Army and Air National Guard came together at the 2024 Labor Summit to demonstrate jobs, skills, and benefits they can offer to the employees of businesses in the area. (National Guard photo by Pfc. Victoria Paine, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

241114-A-ET257-8246: An Oregon Army National Guard Soldier gives a tour to an attendee at the Oregon National Guard Labor Summit 2024 held at the Army Aviation Support Facility, in Salem, Oregon, November 14, 2024. Members of both the Oregon Army and Air National Guard came together at the 2024 Labor Summit to demonstrate jobs, skills, and benefits they can offer to the employees of businesses in the area. (National Guard photo by Pfc. Victoria Paine, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

241114-A-ET257-5747: Two Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers speak to an attendee at the Oregon National Guard Labor Summit 2024 held at the Army Aviation Support Facility, in Salem, Oregon, November 14, 2024. Members of both the Oregon Army and Air National Guard came together at the 2024 Labor Summit to demonstrate jobs, skills, and benefits they can offer to the employees of businesses in the area. (National Guard photo by Pfc. Victoria Paine, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

241114-A-ET257-3753: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, and attendees watch a presentation at the Oregon National Guard 2024 Labor Summit held at the Army Aviation Support Facility, in Salem, Oregon, November 14, 2024. Members of both the Oregon Army and Air National Guard came together at the 2024 Labor Summit to demonstrate jobs, skills, and benefits they can offer to the employees of businesses in the area. (National Guard photo by Pfc. Victoria Paine, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

241114-A-ET257-3167: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Charles Parker speaks to an attendee at the Oregon National Guard 2024 Labor Summit, held at the Army Aviation Support Facility, in Salem, Oregon, November 14, 2024. Members of both the Oregon Army and Air National Guard came together at the 2024 Labor Summit to demonstrate jobs, skills, and benefits they can offer to the employees of businesses in the area. (National Guard photo by Pfc. Victoria Paine, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

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SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard participated in various ceremonies and events around the state on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, took part in the 73rd Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade, watching the annual celebration from the Reviewing Stand, in downtown Albany, Oregon. On Nov. 9, Brig. Gronewold attend the Veteran's Day banquet also held in Albany, for Veterans and members of the Oregon National Guard.

In Salem, Oregon Air National Guard Col. Ryan Barton, Deputy Commander, Oregon Joint Domestic Operations Command, delivered remarks as the Keynote Speaker for the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs 2024 Veterans Day event in Salem, Oregon.  While in Beaverton, Army National Guard Col. Tannis Mittelbach, Director of Logistics for the Oregon Army National Guard served as the Keynote speaker for the Veterans Day Celebration hosted by the American Legion Post 124. 

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Released Photos:

241111-Z-NJ272-10013: Oregon Air National Guard Col. Ryan Barton, Deputy Commander, Oregon Joint Domestic Operations Command, gives remarks during the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs 2024 Veterans Day event in Salem, Oregon, November 11, 2024. Barton was one of several guest speakers, to include keynote speaker Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (pictured at left) at the event outside the State Capitol. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241111-Z-NJ272-1002: Oregon Governor, Tina Kotek, gives remarks during the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs 2024 Veterans Day event in Salem, Oregon, November 11, 2024. Kotek reflected on her own father's service in the Korean War, as well as her experience working with the Oregon National Guard. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241109-Z-CM403-1001: Veterans and current Oregon National Guard members celebrated Veteran's Day at a local banquet held in their honor in Albany, Oregon, Nov. 9, 2024. Opening banquet speaker was Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General (TAG) of the Oregon National Guard. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241109-Z-CM403-1003: Veterans and current Oregon National Guard members celebrated Veteran's Day at a local banquet held in their honor in Albany, Oregon, Nov. 9, 2024. Opening banquet speaker was Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, The Adjutant General (TAG) of the Oregon National Guard. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241111-Z-ZJ128-1001: Members of 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, fire an M119 howitzer during a 21-gun salute at the Veterans Day Memorial Service on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at Veterans Memorial in Timber Linn Park, Albany, Ore. The ceremonial salute honored fallen service members during the morning service preceding Linn County's annual Veterans Day parade. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

241111-Z-ZJ128-1002: Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, salutes as the Oregon Army National Guard's 234th Army Band marches past the reviewing stand, accompanied by his wife Rebecca, during the 73rd Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in downtown Albany, Ore. Thousands of spectators lined the streets for one of Oregon's largest Veterans Day celebrations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

241111-Z-ZJ128-1003: From left, Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, his son Pete, and wife Rebecca wave to participants during the 73rd Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in downtown Albany, Ore. The parade, one of Oregon's largest Veterans Day celebrations, drew thousands of spectators to the city's downtown streets.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

241111-Z-ZJ128-1004: From left, Maj. Jason Goodard, Oregon Army National Guard, retired Col. Thomas Kirk Jr. and his wife Ann, Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General of Oregon, his son Pete and wife Rebecca stand in the review stand during the 73rd Annual Linn County Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in downtown Albany, Ore. Col. Kirk, Mayor Johnson and Brig. Gen. Gronewold render salutes as Albany's Junior ROTC unit passes the reviewing stand. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

241111-Z-CH590-1121 and 241111-Z-CH590-1094: Oregon Army National Guard Col. Tannis Mittlebach delivers remarks as the Keynote Speaker during the Veterans Day Celebration hosted by American Legion Post 124, at Bible Church in Beaverton, Oregon on Nov. 11, 2024. (National Guard Photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department)

241111-Z-CH590-1094: Jessica Bradley, Women Veterans’ Coordinator, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs delivers remarks during the Veterans Day Celebration hosted by American Legion Post 124, at Bible Church in Beaverton, Oregon on Nov. 11, 2024. (National Guard Photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department)

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TROUTDALE, Ore. — High school students from one of Oregon's oldest search and rescue programs became acquainted Saturday as they trained alongside an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter crew at Rooster Rock State Park.

The training brought together 32 members of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (MCSO SAR) team with a National Guard HH-60M helicopter crew to practice aerial extraction techniques — critical skills for rescuing injured hikers in the county's challenging terrain.

"The terrain in Multnomah County is very, very dangerous," said Col. John Van Horn, Oregon National Guard state surgeon and medical liaison for MCSO SAR. "This training creates a normal partnership between our air crews and ground teams for when real evacuations are needed."

The youth-led organization, now in its sixth decade, focuses on developing student leadership while providing essential search and rescue services throughout Multnomah County. Team members respond to real missions, from locating lost hikers to assisting law enforcement with evidence searches.

"We're the main search and rescue resource for Multnomah County Sheriff's Office," said Coco Brandenburg, the team's youth president. "People join for various reasons — some are interested in military or law enforcement careers, others want to be game wardens or rangers, and some just want to challenge themselves."

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shane Broom, a maintenance test pilot with the Oregon National Guard's aviation unit in Salem, emphasized the importance of familiarizing young rescue team members with military aircraft capabilities.

"We work with ground crews during hoist extractions where an injured hiker might be in an area inaccessible to Life Flight or ground ambulances," Broom explained. "This training helps coordinate those crucial radio communications between air and ground teams."

The program accepts new members each fall, with candidates undertaking a nine-month training program covering everything from grid searches to survival skills. Successful graduates receive certification from the Sheriff's Association as qualified searchers.

For Van Horn, the program holds special significance. "I was one of these searchers when I was 16," he said. "Giving back to this organization is why I'm here today."

For those interested in serving their community through either organization, The Multnomah County Sheriff's Search and Rescue program accepts applications from individuals 14 and older who are ready to develop leadership skills while helping others in crisis — visit mcsar.org to learn more about joining one of Oregon's oldest search and rescue teams.

The Oregon Army National Guard offers another path to community service, and according to Maj. Gen. Alan Gronewold, The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, the ability to help fellow Oregonians in their community is why the Oregon Army National Guard is the military service of choice for many state residents. Those interested in part-time service opportunities while maintaining a civilian career can visit oregonarmyguard.com.

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Released B-Roll and Interviews Video: https://dvidshub.net/r/jtyvz9

Released Photos: 

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From left: Col. John Van Horn, Oregon National Guard state surgeon and medical liaison for Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (MCSO SAR) instructs SAR members Liam Foran, Coco Brandabur and Tate Allen on proper placement of VS-17 panels while establishing a helicopter landing zone (HLZ) at Rooster Rock State Park near Troutdale, Ore., Nov. 9, 2024. A former MCSO SAR member, Van Horn, shared his military medical expertise to enhance ground-to-air communication during medical evacuation operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

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Oregon Army National Guard HH-60 Black Hawk pilot 1st Lt. Shane Sherburne and flight medic Sgt. Ryan Cooper provide instruction on military medical evacuation procedures to Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team members at Rooster Rock State Park near Troutdale, Ore., Nov. 9, 2024. The training enhances coordination between military MEDEVAC crews and ground search teams during wilderness rescue operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

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Members of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team with Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew members during aerial extraction training at Rooster Rock State Park near Troutdale, Ore., Nov. 9, 2024. The joint training event strengthened relationships between youth searchers and military aviation personnel while developing critical life-saving capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)

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Oregon Army National Guard flight medic Sgt. Ryan Cooper demonstrates proper hand and arm signals to Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team members during hot-load litter patient training with an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at Rooster Rock State Park near Troutdale, Ore., Nov. 9, 2024. The hands-on training ensures ground teams can safely load patients during real-world rescue operations while the aircraft maintains power. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard Public Affairs)