Oregon National Guard Soldiers Mobilized For Assignment To The Middle East (Photo) -08/09/24

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment were formally recognized during their mobilization ceremony held at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024, as they prepared for a year-long mobilization in the Middle East.

Prior to departing overseas, they will first undergo training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to enhance their proficiencies on the equipment and systems that they will operate as the primary air defenders that American and Coalition partners rely on for force protection.

After completing their training the service members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility.

“The 218th Field Artillery has an exceptionally rich unit history and lineage in which you now are part of,” said Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard during his remarks to the Soldier and family in attendance. “You will now be task organized as Task Force Defender, for the mission to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Remember the heavy responsibilities that rest upon your shoulders.”

As part of Task Force DEFENDER, the Oregon Citizen-Soldiers will be conducting rocket, artillery, mortar and unmanned drone defense operations in the Middle East.

-30-

Released photos: 

240809-Z-CH590-1120 and 240809-Z-CH590-1124: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, addresses the Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment along with their families and co-workers during the mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-A3543-1244: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon greets Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment at the conclusion of their mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by Remi Flounders, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-CH590-1169: Mr. Doug Grafe, Wildlife and Military Policy Advisor for the State of Oregon, greets Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment at the conclusion of their mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-CH590-1152: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon (right) and Brig. Gen. Eric J. Riley, Land Component Commander, Oregon Army National Guard (left), take time to greet Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment at the conclusion of their mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-A3543-1241: Family and friends of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment pay their respects during the playing of the National Anthem during mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by Remi Flounders, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-CH590-1130: Brig. Gen. Eric J. Riley, Land Component Commander, Oregon Army National Guard, addresses the Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment along with their families and co-workers during the mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-A3543-1243: Brig. Gen. Eric J. Riley, Land Component Commander, Oregon Army National Guard, addresses the Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment along with their families and co-workers during the mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by Remi Flounders, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-A3543-1242: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, addresses the Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment along with their families and co-workers during the mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility.  (National Guard photo by Remi Flounders, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-CH590-1017: Oregon Army National Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment stand ready prior to taking part in their mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-CH590-1097: Oregon Army National Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment render a hand salute during their mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

240809-Z-CH590-1021: Oregon Army National Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment stand in their unit formation as they take part in their mobilization ceremony held in their honor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon on August 9, 2024.  After finishing their upcoming training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, whose mission is to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to secure lasting defeat of terrorist elements across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)