The Oregon Army National Guard’s aeromedical helicopter unit is scheduled to be honored in a mobilization ceremony on Friday, January 27, at 10:00 a.m., at the Salem Auditorium, located at 2320 17th Street Northeast, Salem, Oregon, 97309. Approximately 70 Soldiers with Company G (Golf), 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East. The company will provide aeromedical support throughout the Persian Gulf region using Blackhawk helicopters. The unit is scheduled to complete pre-deployment training at Fort Hood, Texas, before deploying overseas. Scheduled to attend the ceremony will be Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, on behalf of Oregon Governor Kate Brown; U.S. Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR 5th District); Oregon Representatives Greg Barreto (HD-58, Cove), Paul Evans (HD-20, Monmouth), Teresa Alonso Leon (HD-22, Woodburn), Mark Meek (HD-40, Oregon City), Ron Noble (HD-24, McMinnville); Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon; Brig. Gen. William Edwards, Land Component Commander; among other community and military leaders. The event is open to the public and media is encouraged to attend. Golf Company, 1-189th Aviation, has a long tradition of answering the call to duty. The unit conducts medical evacuations (medevac), search and rescues, as well as wild land fire suppression operations utilizing HH-60M Blackhawk helicopters. The unit previously deployed to Bosnia for Operation Joint Forge 7, three times to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn, to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. “Whether assisting with search and rescue missions and fighting fires here at home or supporting federal missions overseas, this unit lives our motto, ‘When we are needed, we are there!” said Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department. Aviation assets here in Oregon will continue to backfill to support civil authorities throughout the State of Oregon. Units such as Detachment 1, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation, with their UH-72A Lakotas based in Salem; and elements of 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, with their CH-47F Chinooks based out of Pendleton are prepared to assist the state when needed.
