Salem-News.com Oregon Guard articles

Oregon`s Fallen to be Honored With 5 Names Added to Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial

The keynote speaker will be Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On the day set aside to remember America's service men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans Day, a ceremony will be held at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial to pay tribute to all of Oregon's fallen service members who have served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The public ceremony will be held Nov. 11, on the grounds of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, at 700 Summer St. N.E., at 3:00 p.m.

First Look at Afghan War Documentary (VIDEO)

A documentary in production will be highly educational about the war in Afghanistan.

(SALEM, Ore.) - It has been well over a year since I began working on a documentary about the war in Afghanistan. Now, thanks to a lost file turning up, I have recovered the first part of the program, which is located below.

It offers an idea of what I intend to produce in the coming months; an in-depth look at the American and Canadian and British troops who are engaged in the fighting there.

Wyden, Merkley Announce Investigation Into National Guard Exposure to Carcinogen

In April 2003, National Guard members from Oregon, Indiana, West Virginia, and South Carolina guarding the Qarmat Ali water facility in Iraq were exposed to sodium dichromate, a deadly carcinogen.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Inspector General for the Department of Defense will investigate whether actions by the U.S. Army and a contractor exposed Oregon National Guard troops to a harmful carcinogen in Iraq in 2003. The investigation is in response to a letter written by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and five other senate colleagues calling on Inspector General Gordon Heddell to investigate whether the U.S. Army and KBR – a contractor hired to restore the Qarmat Ali Water injection facility to safe working order -- adequately protected servicemembers from harmful toxins.

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs has pledged a “complete and comprehensive response” to questions raised about the health and well-being of those service personnel.

A Future Worth Securing

The Oregon National Guard and the people of Scania, Iraq.

(SCANIA, Iraq) - Outside the wire, Soldiers wear full battle rattle. They scout the area for IEDs, mortars, rockets, insurgents or anything that may threaten the lives around them. Alpha Co., 2-162 Infantry's quick reaction force for Scania, is ready for anything.

"I am sworn to protect all citizens of Scania," 1st Sgt. Geoffrey Miotke said. "I do so with a posture that has my guys ready all the time."

The Soldiers are also ready to man the entry control points of Scania and provide security for a variety of missions in their area of operations.

More Oregon Guard Soldiers Will Head for Iraq

A mobilization order is still needed to establish specific time frames and location of duty.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Department of Defense has alerted more than 3,500 Citizen Soldiers of the Army National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team for possible mobilization affecting the 3-116 Cavalry in Eastern Oregon.

The Cavalry Brigade is scheduled to be comprised of approximately 800 Oregon Guard members with the remainder being from Idaho and Montana. Supporting the 3-116 is F/145 with detachments throughout Eastern Oregon. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Idaho, will be commanded by Col. Guy Thomas, and is the largest Idaho National Guard unit.

Oregon National Guard Sergeant Earl D. Werner Dies in Iraq

He is survived by his wife Casey and son Charles, age 19 of the Amboy, Washington area.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Oregon National Guard reports that 38-year old Sergeant Earl D. Werner‏ Died in Rashid, Iraq August 28th, 2009 when his convoy was struck by an explosive formed penetrator and was serving with the 41st Special Troops Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Sgt. Werner was on his third deployment with the Oregon National Guard. His first deployment was as part of the 2nd Battalion, 162 Infantry in 2004.

Oregon Guard Soldier Taylor Marks Dies in Iraq

The soldier made the decision to defer his schooling in order to deploy with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Oregon National Guard announced the death of a soldier who was serving in Iraq. 19-year old Private First Class Taylor D. Marks, was killed in Rashid, Iraq on August 28th, 2009 when his convoy was struck by an explosive formed penetrator.

He was serving with the 41st Special Troops Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Oregon Air Guard 142nd Security Forces Squadron Returns from Iraq (PHOTOS)

Over the course of their deployment, the Guard airmen endured 15 rocket attacks and more than 100 incidents of small-arms fire.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Members of the Oregon Air National Guard returned to Oregon on Friday, August 7, 2009 after a six-month deployment to Iraq.

Captain Stephen Bomar, State Public Affairs Officer for the Oregon Guard, says twenty-nine airmen from the 142nd Security Forces Squadron arrived on four separate commercial flights at the Portland International Airport, to throngs of well-wishers, family members and friends.

2009 Oregon State Fair Shows Appreciation for U.S. Military and Veterans

During with Two Days of Memorable Events, families of deployed soldiers will receive 100 free tickets to “Oregon! Oregon! 2009”

(SALEM, Ore.) - The 2009 Oregon State Fair is making a BIG deal out of honoring U.S. veterans and active military.

Friday, August 28 – opening day of the Fair – and Saturday, August 29, are Veterans’ Appreciation Days at the Fair and include a variety of special events for all fair-goers to enjoy. On both days, veterans will be admitted into the Fair free of charge with a voucher available both in Vet News and on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Website. Active military with ID get in for free.

Miss Oregon Will Tour Portland Air National Guard Base

Her tour will include Fighter Wing Flight Operations, Life Support, maintenance shops, base security forces, the new base firehouse, and the 125th Special Tactics Squadron. Barber will also be able to view an F-15 Eagle.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Airmen at the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland, Oregon, will host the newly-crowned Miss Oregon today.

22-year old CC Barber of Scappoose, Oregon, who was crowned Miss Oregon on July 18, at the Miss Oregon Scholarship Pageant in Seaside, will tour units at the 142nd Fighter Wing.