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| December 30, 2004 |
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Oregon citizen-soldiers mobilize for duty in Afghanistan
Nearly one hundred citizen-soldiers from Detachment 1, D Company, 113th Aviation Battalion in Pendleton, Ore. will mobilize for duty in Afghanistan next week.
A mobilization ceremony will take place Jan. 3 at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Pendleton. After mobilizing, the unit will train at Fort Sill, Texas for a brief period before deploying for duty in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The mobilization ceremony is at 1 p.m. at AASF #2, 2110 NW 56th Drive in Pendleton. Media are welcome at the ceremony.
The unit will deploy with CH-47 Chinook helicopters. These are the dual-rotor helicopters capable of carrying large payloads to remote and austere locations. The aircraft are capable of lifting cargo, transporting troops, or carrying vehicles.
For information on the capabilities of the CH-47 Chinook, visit the U.S. Army website at http://www.army.mil/fact_files_site/chinook/.
There are currently more than 1300 of Oregon's citizen-soldiers deployed throughout the world. Approximately 1265 are on duty in Iraq, sixteen are in Afghanistan, and another 46 are on duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Another 100 soldiers are preparing to deploy to Iraq in January.
About 4,500 citizen-soldiers of the Oregon Army National Guard and about 2,200 citizen-airmen in the Oregon Air National Guard remain on duty in the state to meet whatever needs may arise within Oregon.
Contact:
Maj. Arnold Strong, 503-584-3885
Capt Mike Braibish 503-584-3886, cell 503-932-5805
Kay Fristad 503-584-3917, cell 503-931-5179
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