Photo By John Hughel | Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, takes part in...... read more read more
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"Accomplishments and innovation sharpen our competency"
By Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard
As we prepare to start a new Fiscal Year, I would like to commend the hard work that has gone into the past 12 months. This has been one of the most productive and inspiring periods for the Oregon National Guard in more than half a decade. The array of accomplishments has had a major impact on our Nation, State, and local communities.
Touching on just a cross-section of these mobilization endeavors, our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen returned home in recent weeks after concluding assignments around the world. In June, Airmen from the 116th Air Control Squadron completed a successful mission supporting USCENTCOM air and space operations in the Middle East. Following this, Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team wrapped up a year-long deployment to Kosovo in July. Finally, at the beginning of August, we proudly welcomed home the 2nd Battalion, 218th Artillery Regiment after their strategic deployment to Iraq and Syria in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE.
While these units returned home, in May, nearly 220 soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilized to join Task Force BATAAN as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in the Horn of Africa. These significant and high-profile mobilizations have played a crucial role in establishing a lasting legacy in the fight against terrorist groups.
Closer to home, our training year has been robust and historic. During their annual training this summer, the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment fired their final shots as an armored unit with a ceremonial “last round” training event on July 30, as the unit transforms to an infantry asset. Our other ‘116th unit’ on the Air Guard side, the 116th ACS, began transitioning from an air control mission to a new cyber mission in April. Just recently, I had the pleasure of officiating the groundbreaking for a new Army National Guard Readiness Center in Hillsboro on August 21st. Going through these transitions and periods of innovation, it is critical that we focus on flexibility and modernization as we build competency in our new skillsets.
The future of the Oregon National Guard has never looked stronger. With new Armories being upgraded and built, new modern missions being defined, and a proven record of accomplishments, our place as the service of choice for Oregonians continues to evolve. If you have friends or family members looking to serve their Nation and State, this is a great time to have them join our forces. With incredible benefits like tuition assistance for college and a chance to work in new military occupational skills, reach out to those you feel would be assets to our growing team.
Thank you for what you do and for being a valuable member of the Oregon National Guard.
Always Ready, Always There!
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Please see attachments for the 25 Sept. 2025, Letter to the Force
| Date Taken: | 10.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.10.2025 15:53 |
| Story ID: | 550117 |
| Location: | SALEM, OREGON, US |
| Web Views: | 339 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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