Oregon National Guard Holds Ceremony For Soldiers Deploying To Horn Of Africa (Photo) -05/04/25

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard held a mobilization ceremony for Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem Ore. 

Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st IBCT are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. 

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek addressed attendees, thanking Soldiers and their families for their commitment and sacrifice. 

“I know you will rise to any challenge ahead of you and continue to set the bar high,” Kotek said. 

Task Force BATAAN is comprised of Soldiers from Oregon, New Mexico, Washington, and Louisiana. They will be serving in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia in support of CJTF-HOA and JSOTF-SOM. The primary mission will be to conduct security and base defense operations. 

-30-

Released photos:

250504-Z-UZ129-1015 Oregon National Guard Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team salute the flag during the national anthem at their mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

250504-Z-UZ129-1009 Oregon National Guard Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand in formation during their mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize units to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

250504-Z-UZ129-1022 Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, the Adjutant General of Oregon, addresses attendees at the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

250504-Z-UZ129-1028 Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek shakes hands with Oregon National Guard Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team following their mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

Update: OREGON NATIONAL GUARD TO HOLD MOBILIZATION CEREMONY FOR SOLDIERS DEPLOYING TO HORN OF AFRICA (Photo) -05/02/25

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OREGON NATIONAL GUARD TO HOLD MOBILIZATION CEREMONY FOR SOLDIERS DEPLOYING TO HORN OF AFRICA

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard will hold a mobilization ceremony for approximately 225 Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), which is deploying to the Horn of Africa to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

WHEN: Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: The ceremony will take place at the Salem Armory Auditorium, 2320 17th Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Media members are invited to attend the mobilization ceremony for Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers deploying to the Horn of Africa. The event will honor Soldiers from multiple units within the 41st IBCT who will provide base security and force protection in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia.

DEPLOYING UNITS: The 1-200 Infantry Battalion serves as the Task Force Headquarters for the Oregon National Guard 41st IBCT during deployment, but at home, it is under the New Mexico National Guard, headquartered in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Approximately 225 Oregon National Guard Citizen-Soldiers are comprised of the following units:

•   2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Headquartered in Springfield.

•   741st Brigade Engineer Battalion, Headquartered in Clackamas.

•   2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, Headquartered in Forest Grove.

•   141st Brigade Support Battalion (deploying separately in June 2025), Headquartered in Portland.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Interviews with deploying Soldiers and family members (with prior coordination), photo/video opportunities of the ceremony, and B-roll of Soldiers preparing for deployment (see story and connected media) here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/495200/urban-operations-demolitions-41st-ibct-trains-horn-africa-mission.

MEDIA RSVP: Media planning to attend should RSVP by [DATE] to [YOUR EMAIL] or call [YOUR PHONE]. Please include the names of attending personnel.

Please contact Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department, to RSVP for this event.

-30-

Released Images: 

250330-Z-ZJ128-1001: Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire M4 carbines during weapons qualification at Range 73, Yakima Training Center, Wash., March 30, 2025. Individual weapons qualification was a critical component of Operation Djibouti Dawn Annual Training, ensuring combat readiness for the upcoming Horn of Africa deployment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250405-Z-ZJ128-1001: A weapons squad from 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment fires an M240 machine gun from a support-by-fire position during a blank-fire iteration at Yakima Training Center, Wash., April 5, 2025. The training exercise prepared the crew for live-fire operations scheduled for the following day as part of Operation Djibouti Dawn Annual Training in preparation for their Horn of Africa deployment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250406-Z-ZJ128-1004: Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment enter the live fire shoothouse at Range 24, Yakima Training Center, Wash., April 6, 2025. The urban operations training is part of Operation Djibouti Dawn Annual Training in preparation for the unit's upcoming deployment to the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

File stock photo of the 17th Street Armory in Salem: 221016-Z-ZJ128-1002: Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Combat Team (IBCT), Oregon National Guard formation at the unit's re-stationing ceremony Oct. 16, 2022, at the 17th Street Armory in Salem, Ore. The company moved from Medford to Salem, culminating with the re-stationing ceremony, celebrating their arrival at a new home armory. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

GUARD HOSTS "GUARD FOR A DAY" OPEN HOUSE IN MEDFORD (Photo) -05/02/25

MEDFORD, Ore. – The Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment will host a "Guard for a Day" Open House on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Medford Armory, located at 1701 S. Pacific Hwy. 

The free public event offers attendees hands-on experiences with military equipment and demonstrations of National Guard capabilities. Visitors of all ages can explore military vehicles, handle equipment, observe combat medic demonstrations, view Army mortar systems up close, and learn about scout operations.

 "This Open House is a unique opportunity for Southern Oregon residents to experience firsthand what the National Guard does and the equipment we use," said Lt. Col. Heather Robinson, Rear Detachment Commander. "We're excited to welcome our community and let them get hands-on with our equipment and meet our soldiers." 

Oregon Army National Guard soldiers are unique in that they live and work in the communities they serve, typically dedicating one weekend a month and two weeks a year to military service. This local connection enables them to respond quickly during emergencies such as wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters while maintaining civilian careers. This community integration is why the Oregon Army National Guard has become the military service of choice for many Oregonians. 

Simultaneously, the battalion rear detachment will conduct a virtual town hall meeting with soldiers currently deployed to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula as part of the Multinational Force and Observers mission. The virtual connection will provide families with updates on the mission and plans for the unit's upcoming return in the fall.

The 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment is headquartered in Ashland with units located throughout Southern Oregon, including Medford, Grants Pass, and Roseburg. The battalion serves both the state of Oregon during emergencies and the nation during federal deployments. 

The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required. 

Media outlets are encouraged to contact the Oregon Military Department Public Affairs Office to facilitate coverage and arrange interviews with Guard leadership and participants.

Oregon National Guard Celebrates With The Ducks At The University Of Oregon Spring Football Game (Photo) -04/26/25

EUGENE, Ore. - Members of the Oregon National Guard supported the University of Oregon Ducks annual spring football game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. 

The Oregon National Guard held recruiting displays outside the stadium, giving the public a chance to interact with military equipment and speak with service members. 

“We get to showcase what we do, some of the vehicles we have, and what we’re capable of,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Chase, Oregon Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer In Charge of Eugene, Springfield, and Corvallis. “We’re letting them know that we live here and we serve here and we’re huge Duck fans.”

Prior to kickoff, service members, veterans, and their families held a large U.S. flag in the center of the field as Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Duane Reno with the 234th Army Band sang the national anthem. As the flag was walked off the field, two F-15 Eagles assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing at Klamath Falls flew overhead.

During halftime, new recruits and some currently serving members of the military took the Oath of Enlistment in the end field. 

At the conclusion of the game, more than 125 service members lined up with the football team to participate in an “End of Game Exchange.”

-30-

Oregon Army National Guard Brings Helicopter Experience To Medford High Schools (Photo) -04/24/25

MEDFORD, Ore. – South and North Medford High School students received a unique hands-on learning opportunity when an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter landed on their campuses on April 23.

Crew members from Gulf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment flew an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter from Salem to give students an up-close look at military aviation and emergency response capabilities.

"The idea behind it was to bring a field trip to the school basically," said Sgt. 1st Class Erik Andreason, a local Oregon National Guard recruiter who organized the event. "One of the issues locally nowadays is it's tough with the bus systems to get kids off campus and take them places and show them things."

The helicopter visit served dual purposes – exposing students to potential career paths while providing practical training for those already enrolled in emergency services courses. At South Medford High School, ES 105 emergency services students practiced loading litter patients into the aircraft under crew supervision.

Jeffrey Chinn, instructor for the ES 105 program at South Medford, explained that his students earn college credits through the program that transfers to Rogue Community College's fire science program.

"We already practiced. I brought a stokes litter and all the stuff for C-spine," Chinn said. "We would have this person packaged, waiting for the MEDEVAC helicopter to show up, and the patient would just go right in."

The aviation crew, which flew down from Salem specifically for the event, answered student questions and allowed them to explore the helicopter's crew areas. In the afternoon, the team repeated the demonstration at North Medford High School, where students also had the opportunity to interact with the aircraft and crew.

Sgt. 1st Class Andreason and Staff Sgt. Brandon Ellis, both Medford-area recruiters, helped coordinate the visits to expose students to military aviation careers and emergency response operations.

Oregon National Guard members serve part-time, typically one weekend a month and two weeks a year, while maintaining civilian careers. They stand ready to respond to state emergencies such as wildfires and floods, while also training to defend the nation when called to federal service. Guard members live and work in the same communities they serve, creating a unique connection between military service and local communities.

The event highlighted the Guard's dual role in community service and military readiness, giving students a memorable educational experience outside the traditional classroom setting.

                                                                                            -30-

Released Downloadable B-Roll Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/959888/s-medford-hs-n-medford-hs-b-roll

Released photos:

250423-Z-ZJ128-1001 Sgt. 1st Class Erik Andreason directs South Medford High School students as they line up to enter the crew areas of an Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter on April 23, 2025. The helicopter from Gulf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, visited the school to provide students with firsthand exposure to military aviation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250423-Z-ZJ128-1002 Mr. Jeffrey Chinn supervises his ES 105 emergency services students as they load a simulated patient into an Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at South Medford High School on April 23, 2025. Sgt. Atticus Kurtz, a 15T helicopter mechanic and crew chief, assists with the litter loading during the hands-on training exercise. (U.S. Army

250423-Z-ZJ128-1003 Sgt. Atticus Kurtz explains the helicopter hoist system to a North Medford High School student during an Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter visit on April 23, 2025. The aircraft crew from Gulf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment provided students with information about military aviation capabilities and career opportunities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250423-Z-ZJ128-1004 Sgt. Atticus Kurtz observes the Oregon landscape from his crew position aboard an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter while conducting in-flight maintenance checks on April 23, 2025. The Salem-based crew from Gulf Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment was returning north from Medford after completing educational outreach missions at South and North Medford High Schools. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Local Guard Unit Restore Veteran Graves At Historic Medford Cemetery (Photo) -04/13/25

MEDFORD, Ore. - Soldiers from Hotel Company, 141 Support Battalion, attached to the 1-186 Infantry Battalion, spent part of their drill weekend cleaning veteran gravesites at the historic I.O.O.F. Eastwood Cemetery in Medford on April 13, 2025.

Twenty-seven Oregon Army National Guard soldiers from H Company, which drills out of the Medford Armory, joined by Southern Oregon University ROTC cadets, partnered with Medford Parks and Recreation to restore weathered headstones at one of the city's oldest cemeteries.

"Senior leadership in the Oregon Army National Guard emphasized the importance of getting out into the community this training year, and we wanted to make an impact on our local community," said Capt. Jacob Wolwowicz, H/141 commander. "It was important for us to do something local, within a few miles of the armory."

Established in 1890 by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.), the cemetery was sold to the City of Medford in the 1970s when the organization could no longer maintain it. Today, it remains an active cemetery managed by Medford Parks and Recreation.

Soldiers worked in groups of four, cleaning moss and dirt from headstones and removing weeds from around grave markers. Many of the sites they restored belonged to veterans.

"We respected the headstones, made sure we were gentle but also got off all the gunk," said Capt. Wolwowicz. "These are people that lived in the community, died in the community, and these are still some people's family members' graves."

Tyson Thompson, volunteer coordinator with Medford Parks and Recreation, organized the event and called the military presence "a tremendous help."

For Spc. Katia Ibarrera, who is pursuing a career in law enforcement, the project aligned perfectly with her values.

"The thing I love about the National Guard is that it's more community-oriented," said Ibarrera. "I love serving my community. These are my people. I like helping out my people."

The Oregon Army National Guard offers a unique opportunity for service members to maintain civilian careers while serving their state and nation part-time. With units stationed in communities throughout Oregon, Guard members can live and work in the same areas they serve, allowing them to make a direct impact close to home.

"My unit came to a historic cemetery to clean up graves belonging to veterans," said Ibarrera. "We did this because we want to serve our community and focus more on the people around us."

                                                                           -30-

Released Photos:

250413-Z-ZJ128-1001 Tyson Thompson, volunteer coordinator with Medford Parks and Recreation, demonstrates proper headstone cleaning techniques to soldiers from Hotel Company, 141 Support Battalion, at the I.O.O.F. Eastwood Cemetery in Medford, Oregon, April 13, 2025. The Oregon Army National Guard soldiers spent part of their drill weekend restoring veteran gravesites at the historic cemetery as a community service project. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250413-Z-ZJ128-1002 Soldiers from Hotel Company, 141 Support Battalion, after receiving cleaning supplies at the I.O.O.F. Eastwood Cemetery in Medford, Oregon, April 13, 2025. Twenty-seven Oregon Army National Guard members who drill out of the Medford Armory participated in the community service project to clean and restore veteran gravesites at the historic cemetery. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250413-Z-ZJ128-1003 Pfc. PFC Arely Luviano-Garcia cleans the engraving on a veteran's headstone at the I.O.O.F. Eastwood Cemetery in Medford, Oregon, April 13, 2025. Soldiers from Hotel Company, 141 Support Battalion focused on restoring veteran gravesites by removing accumulated moss and dirt to make inscriptions readable again during the community service project. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250413-Z-ZJ128-1004 A group of Oregon Army National Guard soldiers work together to clean a large veteran's headstone at the I.O.O.F. Eastwood Cemetery in Medford, Oregon, April 13, 2025. Members of Hotel Company, 141 Support Battalion, which drills out of the Medford Armory, worked in teams to restore weathered grave markers during their drill weekend, exemplifying the Guard's commitment to community service in the areas where members live and serve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)