Coming Home, April 14

The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing, local dignitaries and family members are welcoming home 39 Portland-based members of the 142nd Security Forces Squadron (142 SFS), who deployed to the Middle East for six months during a ceremony to be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 14 at the base. “Oregon Guardsmen put themselves in harm’s way to work for our security abroad,” said Colonel Paul T. Fitzgerald, 142nd Fighter Wing Commander. “A demobilization ceremony is public recognition of the sacrifice and efforts our Airmen made on behalf of our country,” he said. Tapping into the robust and flexible nature of the National Guard, the 142 SFS members supported ongoing and emerging global security requirements in the U.S. Air Force’s Central Command region. Members of the 39-person team provided base security operations, operational logistics, anti-terrorism and training support. Brigadier General Jeffrey M. Silver, Oregon Air National Guard Commander, will preside over the ceremony. Several state and federal dignitaries are scheduled to be in attendance at the event as well.