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BOISE, Idaho — A change of command ceremony took place Saturday, April 20, for 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho during the unit's one-weekend-a-month training duty.

Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter relinquished command to Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp in a traditional military ceremony presided over by Col. Peter Helzer, Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, is headquartered in Southern Oregon and has over 150 years of service to the state, including deployments during World War II and recent mobilizations supporting the global war on terrorism.

"As someone who grew up in Southern Oregon, I am proud to have led a unit that has over 150 years of service to the state, including service in WWII and recent deployments in support of the global war on terrorism," said the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Carpenter.

The incoming commander, Lt. Col. Rapp, emphasized the foundation of excellence in caring for soldiers and their families.

"In order for us to do anything to the best of our ability, we must first take care of ourselves, each other, and our families. That has to be the foundation of everything we do," Rapp said.

Col. Helzer praised the accomplishments of Lt. Col. Carpenter's tenure and expressed confidence in Lt. Col. Rapp's future leadership.

"The 1st of the 186th, the 'Guardians,' are a historical unit in Oregon. I'm incredibly proud of Lt. Col. Carpenter's work over the last two years, bringing us through COVID and transformation in preparing for large-scale mobilizations. I look forward to Lt. Col. Rapp's contributions and leadership as we move into the future, mobilizing parts across the Middle East and North Africa," Helzer said.

Lt. Col. Rapp will lead the Guardians, on a rotation deployment to the Sinai later this year. Lt. Col. Carpenter has been appointed to a leadership role in the Oregon National Guard's State Partnership Program working with partner nations Bangladesh and Vietnam.

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Released Photos:

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Members of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment stand in formation during the unit's change of command ceremony at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp took command of the Southern Oregon-based battalion from Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter during the traditional military ceremony. 
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter stands at attention moments before relinquishing command during the change of command ceremony on April 20, 2024, at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho. Carpenter led the Southern Oregon-based battalion for two years before passing responsibility to Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp.
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Col. Peter Helzer, Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, incoming commander of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, during a change of command ceremony Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho. Rapp took command from Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter, who led the Southern Oregon-based battalion for the past two years. 
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Todd Plimpton presents a gift to Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter on behalf of the Guardian Regimental Association during the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment's change of command ceremony on April 20, 2024, at Orchard Combat Training Center. Plimpton honored Carpenter's "hard work and leadership" while commanding the Southern Oregon-based battalion for the past two years. 
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Salem, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard’s Camp Rilea Training Center, near Warrenton, is scheduled to host active-duty Army rotary wing night training missions, April 10-19, 2024. The visiting unit is located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Tacoma, Washington.

Army rotary wing aircraft are scheduled to conduct intermittent nighttime air operations on Camp Rilea’s Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training site in order to maintain pilot and crew proficiency necessary to support real world military operations.

“We strive to be good neighbors in the communities in which we both live and serve,” said Maj. Steven Maughan, Camp Rilea Range Officer, “we appreciate the continued support when it comes to fulfilling our federal mission, as a training center, to support military readiness in the Pacific Northwest.”

While night flying operations will conclude by midnight each night on Camp Rilea, training may continue throughout the night in surrounding areas.

Camp Rilea Range Operations Range Status, to include scheduled life fire ranges and night operations, can be found on the Oregon Military Department website at https://www.oregon.gov/omd/rilea/Pages/Range-Operations.aspx

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SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard’s Camp Rilea Training Center, near Warrenton, Oregon, will host active-duty Army rotary wing night training missions over March 27-29, 2024. The visiting unit is located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma, Washington.  

Army rotary wing aircraft will conduct nighttime air operations on Camp Rilea’s Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training site in order to maintain pilot and crew proficiency necessary to support real world military operations.  

“Camp Rilea Range Operations appreciates the support of the local community and understands the impact night military operations can have,” said Maj. Steven Maughan, Camp Rilea Range Officer.  “We want to provide advance notice to our community members about the increased noise from military aircraft during this particular period.” 

While night flying operations will conclude by midnight each night at Camp Rilea, training may continue throughout the night in the surrounding areas.    

Camp Rilea Range Operations Range Status, to include scheduled life fire ranges and night operations, can be found on the Oregon Military Department website at https://www.oregon.gov/omd/rilea/Pages/Range-Operations.aspx 

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