Guard News - The National Guard

Oregon National Guard Soldiers Welcome Veterans Home from Honor Flight
May 6, 2025 — MEDFORD, Ore. – Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment formed up at the Medford Airport on May 4 to welcome home veterans returning from an Honor Flight... MORE

A Vietnam veteran renders a salute from his wheelchair as he passes through the honor corridor at the Medford Airport, Medford, Ore., May 4, 2025. Oregon Army National Guard soldiers and Patriot Guard Riders formed the corridor to welcome veterans returning from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited military memorials honoring their service.

Oregon National Guard Trains for Horn of Africa Mission
April 14, 2025 — YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – "Claymore, Claymore, Claymore!" The warning echoes across the demolition range seconds before a deafening "whoomp" sends a cloud of smoke and debris skyward. Soldiers... MORE

An infantryman and an engineer range safety detonate a claymore mine from a crater position during demolitions training at Yakima Training Center, Wash., March 31, 2025.

Oregon Army Guard Provides Lift for Army Futures Command
March 25, 2025 — FORT IRWIN, Calif. - On a chilly and dusty morning at Fort Irwin, aka the “Sandbox,” four Oregon Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook helicopters are loaded up with Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne... MORE

In the chilly, dusty morning at Fort Irwin, California, aka the “Sandbox,” March 11, 2025, four Oregon Army National Guard CH-47F “Chinook" helicopters load Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade.

Oregon National Guard Prepares for Southern Border Mission
March 13, 2025 — SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard's 1249th Engineer Battalion is preparing for a year-long mobilization to support security operations along the U.S. southern border.The mission will begin Oct... MORE

Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard's 1249th Engineer Battalion stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Oregon, Sept. 8, 2024. The battalion is preparing for a year-long mobilization to support security operations along the southern border beginning October 2025.

Oregon National Guard Opens Its First Off-Road Tank Trail
February 10, 2025 — UMATILLA, Ore. - The Oregon Army National Guard has unveiled a new six-mile tank driver training course at Raymond F. Rees Training Center, marking a significant upgrade in armor units’ training... MORE

Tank commander Sgt. 1st Class Eric Gilliland, of 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, communicates with driver Sgt. Maxwell Rounds from Castle Rock, Wash., as they maneuver their M1A2 SEP v2 Abrams tank onto the new six-mile tank trail at Raymond F. Rees Training Center in Umatilla, Oregon, Feb. 1, 2025. The new trail enables local National Guard tank crews to conduct essential driver training without traveling to out-of-state facilities.

Oregon Guard Combat Medics Test Drone Delivery of Supplies
February 6, 2025 — WARRENTON, Ore. - Combat medics with the Oregon National Guard are adapting their battlefield medicine skills for large-scale combat operations through innovative training, including drone-delivered... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Day retrieves simulated blood supplies delivered by a blueflite drone while Sgt. Benjamin Keikkala provides security during a field training exercise at Camp Rilea, Oregon, Jan. 30, 2025. The innovative drone delivery system demonstrated rapid resupply capabilities for combat medics in tactical environments.

Oregon Guard Battalion Trains for Peacekeeping Mission
December 16, 2024 — MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. - The desert stretches endlessly along U.S. Highway 54 as it leaves El Paso, Texas, cutting through the New Mexico border. After 25 miles of stark Chihuahuan Desert landscape, a... MORE

Spc. Jack Clark, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, moves through a wall opening while Staff Sgt. Arturo Veloz supervises during urban operations training at Camp McGregor, New Mexico, Dec. 15, 2024. The unit is preparing to deploy to the Multinational Force and Observers mission in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Air Force Major Serves as Vietnam Bilateral Affairs Officer
October 24, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. – When the opportunity to become the bilateral affairs officer for Vietnam arose, Oregon National Guard Air Force Maj. Angie Hayes jumped at the chance to live abroad and serve her country... MORE

Oregon Air National Guard Maj. Angie Hayes, the bilateral affairs officer, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, speaks with a member of the Vietnamese delegation following the opening ceremony for the 2024 Disaster Management Engagement Activity at Hue University of Education in Hue, Vietnam June, 10, 2024. The Oregon National Guard and Vietnam have been partners since 2012 through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Assumes KFOR East Command
October 23, 2024 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - U.S. Army Col. Jason Baker, the NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command East commander, relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Peter Helzer during a transfer of authority... MORE

Brig. Gen. Cahit Irican , deputy commander of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission, presided over the transfer of authority ceremony of KFOR Regional Command East at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Oct. 22, 2024. Col. Jason Baker, commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, relinquished command of KFOR RC-E to Col. Peter D. Helzer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard.

Oregon Guard Infantry Regiment Mobilized for Egypt Mission
October 22, 2024 — ASHLAND, Ore. – Nearly 200 Oregon National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, were formally mobilized Oct. 20 as part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission... MORE

Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, take part in their formal mobilization ceremony Oct. 20, 2024, at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. The 1-168th Infantry Regiment is deploying to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt for a peacekeeping mission.

Brothers in Arms: Bond Strengthened on 41st IBCT Deployment
October 9, 2024 — HOHENFELS, Germany – For Soldiers living abroad on deployment, family is usually a limited phone call and thousands of miles away. This is not the case for brothers 2nd Lt. Lincoln Miller and Spc... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Markian Miller, left, and 2nd Lt. Lincoln Miller pose for a photo during Kosovo Force training at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 29, 2024. Kosovo Force, also known as KFOR, includes 28 NATO allies and partner nations working together to provide safety and freedom of movement for the people of Kosovo.

Oregon Guardsman Tops World Burpee Record
October 7, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. - Maj. Tommy Vu of the Oregon Army National Guard has reclaimed his world record for the most chest-to-ground burpees completed in one hour, performing 1,027 repetitions Oct. 5. Vu, a... MORE

A moment of triumph during Maj. Tommy Vu's world record attempt at a gym in Salem, Ore., Oct. 5, 2024. From left: Pedro Velasquez, Oregon National Guard state equal employment manager; Linda Vu, the major's wife holding son Adonis; and Maj. Tommy Vu as he nears his goal of 1,027 chest-to-ground burpees in one hour.

US Indo-Pacific Highlights State Partnerships
September 20, 2024 — CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosted the annual senior leaders forum for the State Partnership Program Sept. 10-16.SPP links a state’s National Guard with a partner country’s... MORE

U.S. Air Force and Army adjutant generals, senior enlisted leaders and distinguished visitors pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the 2024 State Partnership Program’s senior leader forum at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Sep. 16, 2024.

Oregon Guardsmen Recognized at Mobilization Ceremony
September 12, 2024 — KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Members of the 173rd Fighter Wing were recognized with a September mobilization ceremony at Kingsley Field. Approximately 50 members from every group on base are deploying this... MORE

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, Oregon National Guard adjutant general, speaks with Tech. Sgt. Peter McNally, 173rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, after a mobilization ceremony at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Sept. 8, 2024.

Oregon Guard Supports Wildland Firefighting Across State
September 11, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. - For nearly 60 days, the Oregon National Guard has supported wildland firefighting crews in multiple capacities across the state. Whether assisting with medical evacuation, water buckets... MORE

Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the adjutant general of Oregon, presents a challenge coin to Spc. Rodney Chamberlain, an Oregon Army National Guard hand crew member, for exceptional performance fighting the Telephone Fire, Aug. 6, 2024, at the Harney County Fairgrounds fire camp.

Oregon National Guard Hones Skills for Large-Scale Combat
September 3, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Army National Guard's 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted an extended annual training at Fort Johnson, Louisiana's Joint Readiness Training Center. This intensive... MORE

Pfc. Braden Whitlock, an M249 SAW gunner with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, scans his sector of fire from a newly constructed fighting position during the Joint Readiness Training Center rotation 24-09 at Fort Johnson, La., July 28, 2024. The training exercise focused on large-scale combat operations as part of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team's Annual Training.

Oregon Army Guard Soldiers Prepare to Deploy Overseas
August 19, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. - Oregon Army National Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers were honored Aug. 16 as they prepared to deploy with the NATO-led Kosovo Force for a year-long mission.During a... MORE

Capt. Justin Phelps, 41st Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, leads his company formation at the Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium in Salem, Ore., Aug. 16. The event marked the beginning of a significant deployment as the unit prepares to join the NATO-led Kosovo Force for a year-long mission

Oregon National Guard Mobilized for Middle East Deployment
August 14, 2024 — FOREST GROVE, Ore. – About 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, were recognized Aug. 9 during a mobilization ceremony as they prepared for a... MORE

Oregon Army National Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, render a hand salute during a mobilization ceremony at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, Aug. 9, 2024. After training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, unit members will be assigned to Iraq and Syria to support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Oregon National Guard Trains for Peacekeeping Deployments
July 22, 2024 — FORT JOHNSON, La. - As night fell on the Joint Readiness Training Center July 20, Task Force Guardian, comprised of Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment,... MORE

Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of Task Force Guardian, conducts an after-action review with his staff July 21, 2024, at Fort Johnson, La. The review follows Task Force Guardian's first night of engagement with opposition forces during the Joint Readiness Training Center rotation, preparing the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team for upcoming overseas missions.

Oregon Guard Rescues Injured Hiker on Pacific Crest Trail
July 5, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. - An Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and crew rescued a woman who was injured and stranded hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern Oregon June 23.Working with... MORE

Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M crew members, from left, Staff Sgt. Kyle Sanders, crew chief and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle Hutton, pilot, stand next to a rescued hiker, with Sgt. 1st Class Michael Buchan, medic and chief warrant officer 4 Devin Wickenhagen, pilot in command in Medford, Oregon, June 23, 2024. The crew rescued the hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Maryland, Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Emerge as Region II’s Best Warriors

National Guard Spouse Highlights Strength of Family Support During Maine Visit

Virginia National Guard Team Trains for Disaster Response

D.C. Air Guard Makes Improvements at Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Maine Guard Airmen Exercise Rapid-Response Communications Skills