SALEM, Ore. – Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regimentand the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment are due to arrive home from deployment on July 4, after serving in Jordan. The 38 Oregon Soldiers returning home are members of the Scout platoon, Headquarters Company 2-162 Infantry and the 2-218 Field Artillery Fire Support Section. The Soldiers were part of the Jordanian Operational Engagement Program, deploying in various rotations from September 2019 to July of 2020. The Soldiers trained with the Jordanian Security Forces and Armed Forces, completing essential Soldier tasks such as basic rifle marksmanship, crew serves weapons and medical proficiency skills at the platoon and squadron level. The Oregon Guardsmen had just come from Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas, where they were quarantined for 14 days, in accordance with COVID-19 federal guidelines, which included additional medical screening and current procedures as they return home to Oregon. For media inquires and additional information regarding family homecomings with Soldiers returning; please contact Capt. Jessica Clarke at 503-584-3917. The Oregon Guardsmen from the 2-162 and 2-218 deployed with members of the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment from the Washington Army National Guard, who started returning home on July 2nd.
