More than 200 Southern Oregon citizen-soldiers headed to Egypt for 9-month peace-keeping deployment

Ashland.news staff reports

Family, friends and supporters of more than 200 citizen soldiers preparing to deploy to Egypt for a peace-keeping mission by the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1-186th Infantry gathered at Southern Oregon University’s Raider Stadium on Sunday morning for a mobilization ceremony, hosting some of Oregon Army National Guard’s top brass.

More than 200 citizen-soldiers will be part of a multinational force and observers mission in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, according to a news release. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms. The event included speakers Lt. Col. Josh Rapp, current commander of the 1-186th Infantry, and Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, the Adjutant General of Oregon.

“We are a battalion who is proud of where we come from and where we are going,” Rapp told the troops. “We welcome any soldiers who want to serve our great nation in the state of Oregon in an organization that is fully committed to stepping up when it’s called in a time of need.”

Oregon Army National Guard Col. Paul Dyer, commander (rear), 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team also shared remarks.

“Citizen-Soldiers from Southern Oregon have a rich tradition of stepping up when called upon,” Dyer said. “The 1-186 Infantry proudly represents so many incredible communities from Roseburg to Ashland, and I cannot thank the local communities enough for their overwhelming support as the unit continues to add to their storied legacy.”

The 1-186th Infantry Regiment has previously mobilized to support both homeland and overseas missions to include: Security augmentation for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., COVID-19 operational support in Oregon, and federal deployments supporting Overseas Contingency Operations in the Horn of Africa from 2019-2020, in Afghanistan from 2014-2015, and in Iraq from 2009-2010. The unit has also been deployed to Egypt once before, in 2002, according to Major Chris Clyne, Oregon Army National Guard.

“I want to thank you and your families for the sacrifices you make to serve the state and the nation,” Gen. Gronewold told the troops, according to video footage of the event. “I’m grateful for all you’ve done up to this point and I’m grateful for all that you will do. I’m extremely proud to serve with every one of you.”

Citizen-soldiers in the Oregon Army National Guard serve one weekend per month and two weeks of training each year, and some are deployed every five years, according to Major Clyne.

Soldiers will attend training prior to deployment, which is anticipated in December, according to Clyne.

Email Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at [email protected].