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News Release

OREGON NATIONAL GUARD INVITES PUBLIC TO TWO SOUTHERN OREGON EVENTS IN MAY (Photo) - 04/28/26

Open House and Norwegian Foot March offer community members a chance to engage with local Guard soldiers

 

MEDFORD, Ore. — The Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment is hosting two public events in the Medford area in early May, inviting community members and media to participate and learn more about their local National Guard.

 

1-186 Infantry Open House – May 1, 2026

HHC/1-186 Infantry invites the public to its Open House at the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Hwy, Medford, Oregon 97501. The armory will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will have the opportunity to talk with soldiers and learn about military occupational specialties, including scouts, medics, and more. Military vehicles will be on display, and Oregon Army National Guard recruiters will be on hand to answer questions about military service and career opportunities. Registrants will also be entered for a chance to win a pair of Apple AirPods 4. Registration is available via QR code on the event flyer.

 

Norwegian Foot March – May 2, 2026

The following day, HHC/1-186 Infantry will host a Norwegian Foot March at Bear Creek Greenway, 2931 S. Pacific Hwy, Medford, Oregon 97501. Registration and ruck sack weigh-in begins at 4 a.m., with the march kicking off at 5 a.m. The event concludes at noon.

 

The Norwegian Foot March is a physically demanding endurance march with roots in Nordic military tradition. Participants carry a 24-pound dry rucksack over the course. Those who complete the march will receive a commemorative plaque or coin. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

 

The event is open to the public and free to participate. Registration is available via QR code on the event flyer. Registrants who complete the event are also entered for a chance to win a pair of Apple AirPods 4. Current service members may register and participate but are not eligible for the raffle.

 

For more information about the Open House, contact SFC Michael Ege at michael.j.ege.mil@army.mil or (541) 450-8978. For more information about the Norwegian Foot March, contact CPT Christopher Gallagher at christopher.i.gallagher.mil@army.mil or (805) 704-6468.

 

The Oregon National Guard is a part-time, community-based organization of more than 8,000 men and women who serve their neighbors in times of emergency and defend the nation when called upon. Guard members serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year while maintaining civilian careers and community ties. For more information about joining the Oregon Army National Guard, visit oregonarmyguard.com.

 

Released Photos: 

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1010

Soldiers and civilians push the pace along the Bear Creek Greenway in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025, during the Norwegian Foot March hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment. The 18.6-mile endurance march required participants to carry a 24-pound rucksack throughout the course. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250503-Z-ZJ128-1008

A soldier with the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, speaks with community members about a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle during an Open House at the Medford Armory in Medford, Ore., May 3, 2025. The annual event gives the public an opportunity to interact with soldiers and learn about military service opportunities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Attached Media Files: 250503-Z-ZJ128-1008, 250608-Z-ZJ128-1010, Norwegian Foot March Flyer, Open House Flyer,

OREGON NATIONAL GUARD INVITES PUBLIC TO TWO SOUTHERN OREGON EVENTS IN MAY (Photo) - 04/28/26

Open House and Norwegian Foot March offer community members a chance to engage with local Guard soldiers

 

MEDFORD, Ore. — The Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment is hosting two public events in the Medford area in early May, inviting community members and media to participate and learn more about their local National Guard.

 

1-186 Infantry Open House – May 1, 2026

HHC/1-186 Infantry invites the public to its Open House at the Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Hwy, Medford, Oregon 97501. The armory will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will have the opportunity to talk with soldiers and learn about military occupational specialties, including scouts, medics, and more. Military vehicles will be on display, and Oregon Army National Guard recruiters will be on hand to answer questions about military service and career opportunities. Registrants will also be entered for a chance to win a pair of Apple AirPods 4. Registration is available via QR code on the event flyer.

 

Norwegian Foot March – May 2, 2026

The following day, HHC/1-186 Infantry will host a Norwegian Foot March at Bear Creek Greenway, 2931 S. Pacific Hwy, Medford, Oregon 97501. Registration and ruck sack weigh-in begins at 4 a.m., with the march kicking off at 5 a.m. The event concludes at noon.

 

The Norwegian Foot March is a physically demanding endurance march with roots in Nordic military tradition. Participants carry a 24-pound dry rucksack over the course. Those who complete the march will receive a commemorative plaque or coin. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

 

The event is open to the public and free to participate. Registration is available via QR code on the event flyer. Registrants who complete the event are also entered for a chance to win a pair of Apple AirPods 4. Current service members may register and participate but are not eligible for the raffle.

 

For more information about the Open House, contact SFC Michael Ege at michael.j.ege.mil@army.mil or (541) 450-8978. For more information about the Norwegian Foot March, contact CPT Christopher Gallagher at christopher.i.gallagher.mil@army.mil or (805) 704-6468.

 

The Oregon National Guard is a part-time, community-based organization of more than 8,000 men and women who serve their neighbors in times of emergency and defend the nation when called upon. Guard members serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year while maintaining civilian careers and community ties. For more information about joining the Oregon Army National Guard, visit oregonarmyguard.com.

 

Released Photos: 

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1010

Soldiers and civilians push the pace along the Bear Creek Greenway in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025, during the Norwegian Foot March hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment. The 18.6-mile endurance march required participants to carry a 24-pound rucksack throughout the course. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250503-Z-ZJ128-1008

A soldier with the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, speaks with community members about a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle during an Open House at the Medford Armory in Medford, Ore., May 3, 2025. The annual event gives the public an opportunity to interact with soldiers and learn about military service opportunities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Attached Media Files: 250503-Z-ZJ128-1008, 250608-Z-ZJ128-1010, Norwegian Foot March Flyer, Open House Flyer,