A week after Oregon's Governor Kotek joined 52 other Governors of states and territories sent the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, strong opposition to a legislative proposal that disregarded gubernatorial authority over the National Guard, the Oregon National Guard held a pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon event. Approximately 2,000 Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade, headquartered in Clackamas, are scheduled to deploy to Kosovo, Egypt; the Horn of Africa; and Syria starting summer through next spring.

The Governors objected to a one-time transfer of 14 National Guard units to the Space Force moving 1,000 Guardsmen from six states, excluding Oregon. The Governors said it is imperative they retain the authority and even proposed that states have their own military space forces, which Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall rejected and didn’t understand the fuse over a few hundred people in a handful of states. Two governors didn’t participate, Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Texas’ Greg Abbott.

"Oregon National Guard members proudly serve the communities they live in during state emergencies and also serve the nation in defense of our interests overseas," said Oregon Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold at the Yellow Ribbon event. "That's what makes us the Service of Choice."

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program connects National Guard members with resources throughout the deployment cycle through events for service members and their loved ones.

"Deployments are difficult for everyone, especially in the Guard since we don't have a base with all the resources and all our families in one place," said Col. Peter Helzer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He also noted the challenge of completing an intensive Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana, right before mobilizing. "That exercise will be key in ensuring we are ready for any challenge we may face while deployed."

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Oregon National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment scout sniper section in Ashland sent a three-member team to the Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championship. Sgt. Trahern Fox, Sgt. Kevin Martin, and Spc. John Adamson were first-time competitors at the National Guard’s most prestigious and grueling rifle and pistol marksmanship event. Their fourth member had a family emergency that prevented the team’s chances at the championship, but the three Oregonians were undeterred in their goal of personal growth.

When finalized, their scores would memorialize new shooting milestones with rifles and pistols. But the trio’s greatest prize was incalculable – fortified skills to elevate their scout sniper section’s operational lethality.

While disappointed to lose their fourth shooter, the Oregonians focused on the invaluable skills they’d absorbed. The Marksmanship Training Center’s rifle and pistol experience will burn bright when passed from Camp Robinson’s ranges to their scout sniper section’s training.


--Dollie Banner

Post Date: 2024-05-07 10:56:18

Last Update: 2024-05-07 01:29:18