‘Always ready, always there’: Eastern Oregon National Guard troops mark return from Middle East deployment
'When duty called, you answered,' brigade commander said at demobilization ceremony
ONTARIO, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard's Adder Company were welcomed home Saturday after a yearlong deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
A demobilization ceremony took place at the Ontario Army National Guard Armory for the 16 soldiers from Adder Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, and was attended by an audience of family and community members.
A previously recorded video message was played during the ceremony featuring Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, adjutant general of Oregon, and Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Smith, command senior enlisted leader. In addition, welcome-home letters sent by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley were read by 1st Lt. Steven Sawyer during the ceremony.
Col. Russell Gibson, commander of the 82nd Troop Command Brigade, spoke to the soldiers, praising their service and sacrifice. Lt. Col. Christopher Miller, commander of the 3-116th Cavalry Regiment, officiated the event along with Col. Gibson, personally welcoming home each soldier in a receiving line.
Adder Company deployed in March of 2023 to provide a rapid reaction force for U.S. Central Command, deterring malign influence and reassuring allies in the region. The company trained for two months at Fort Bliss, Texas, before mobilizing for nine months in Kuwait.
While overseas, as part of Task Force Rattler, Adder Company conducted exercises and worked with partner nation forces in Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to Kuwait. They displayed U.S. Army capabilities through emergency drills, weapons qualifications, and Abrams tank gunnery exercises.
Select soldiers were chosen to qualify on the new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defense System known as M-LIDS, gaining experience to combat electronic warfare and unmanned aerial threats.
In August 2023, Adder Company returned to Oregon after completing a relief-in-place with the Mississippi National Guard's 155th Armored Brigade. Throughout their deployment, the soldiers maintained readiness as a quick reaction force for Central Command.
Total mobilization was 400 days, which included mobilization training, demobilization and leave. The company was in theatre for about nine 9 months.
"Time and again, you demonstrated your competence, heart and skill as members of the Oregon National Guard. When duty called, you answered," said Gibson. "You show the best of the Oregon spirit: committed, tough, resilient, pulling together to meet any test. Always ready, always there."
