Salem-News.com Oregon Guard articles

Honored Air Guard Special Tactics Airmen Reflect Core Values of Talented Unit

The strength of the 125th STS is reflected in their unique mission and the camaraderie they have quickly shaped as a unit in less than nine years, becoming officially founded on May 1, 2005.

(CLACKAMAS) - They left behind civilian jobs or college class rooms to deploy, chancing their own safety to protect their teammates and carry out grueling operations that changed virtually every day during their six months in combat.

Hometown heroes Doug Matthews, Matthew Matlock, Christopher Jones and George Thompson were honored this week.

Dan Hokanson Appointed to Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard

Every now and then the government does something that makes a lot of sense.

(SALEM) - Brigadier General Daniel R. Hokanson, will succeed Major General Raymond F. Rees as the Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard.

He will transition to the new command position in the summer of 2013.

Freezing to Death in Afghanistan

Vulnerable residents of war-torn Afghanistan struggle for survival in harsh winter.

(SALEM) - A report this week by Xinhua news agency, describes the extreme, freezing conditions families in Afghanistan are attempting to survive.

They won't all make it. Never in all of my life will I forget my freezing 2006/08 winter covering the war in Afghanistan.

Faces of Oregon war dead

Oregonians from 70 towns have been killed in the fighting overseas...

(PORTLAND) - The Sunday Oregonian rightly welcomed an Oregon Army National Guard battalion home from Afghanistan.

But we need also note that, according to the Pentagon, at least 93 military members who claimed home towns in Oregon have died in the Iraq and AfPak wars. The Oregonian counts 111 because its criteria is that a GI need only have "some tie" to Oregon or SW Washington to be counted.

Two War Photographers Available for Talks and Visual Demonstrations

One British, one American, and their experience covering wars in six countries.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Palestine, Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Kuwait. You can see the images of people and places, combat and strife, humanitarian efforts and survival techniques.

People are curious about what it looks like and feels like to be in a war zone shooting photographs and conducting interviews, trying to stay safe while absorbing local culture and meeting people whose lives are impacted by the violence of war and the tragedy of loss.

A Farewell Tribute to the 82nd Brigade

Event will take place June 19, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Millenium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego.

(LAKE OSWEGO) - A top patriotic show to honor those who are serving and those who have served. After 50 years of the National Guard Armory making its home in Lake Oswego, the 82nd will be moving to Camp Withycombe, Clackamas.

This is a star-studded event just for you soldiers and your families. Many stars will be participating.

3-116 Embarks on First Convoy Mission

Soldiers are using the military's new mine resistant vehicles.

(JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq) - Fighter 41’s first convoy mission began in the early-morning under a deep black Iraqi sky.

As the countryside around Joint Base Balad, Iraq, slept, the Guardsmen with eastern Oregon’s Company F, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), labored under the large, hard white klieg lights stationed at intervals around their compound.

Oregon National Guard to hold demobilization ceremony for 162 Engineer Company

Our Soldiers have literally set the standard for performance and have helped develop and evolve the IED

(SALEM, Oregon) - The Oregon National Guard is scheduled to hold a demobilization ceremony for Soldiers of the 162 Engineer Company, Friday, in Dallas, Oregon

The demobilization ceremony will be held at 817 Church Street, in Dallas, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The street in front of the old 162 Armory will be closed to through traffic.

`Stars for Soldiers` Could be Black Eye for Veteran Supporters

What happened at a Veterans fundraiser in Albany two months ago, needs to be investigated.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - The March 19th, 2010 the "Stars for Soldiers" concert took place at the Venetian Theater in Albany, Oregon as a concert to benefit our Oregon National Guard and their families.

Concert promotion advertised that, “100% of all the proceeds will go to the Oregon National Guard and their families.”

Behind the Scenes with the Oregon Guard in Iraq

A slideshow of recent photos of Oregon Guard soldiers in Iraq.

(BAGHDAD/SALEM) - Oregon has some 3500 National Guard soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, currently deployed in Iraq. They are under the command of Colonel Dan Hokanson.

The soldiers have performed a wide variety of roles in Iraq. Specialist Cory Grogan has been snapping photos of the various missions these soldiers have performed.