OCTOBER 22, 2024 – Nearly 200 Oregon National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, were formally mobilized Oct. 20 as part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.
Family, friends, coworkers and community members attended the ceremony at Raider Stadium on the Southern Oregon University campus.
“Citizen-Soldiers from Southern Oregon have a rich tradition of stepping up when called upon,” said Oregon Army National Guard Col. Paul Dyer, commander (rear), 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, as the unit members made their final preparations before deployment. “1-186 Infantry proudly represents so many incredible communities from Roseburg to Ashland, and I cannot thank the local communities enough for their overwhelming support as the unit continues to add to their storied legacy.”
The unit will supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms. The Oregon National Guardsmen will join Soldiers from other states, rotating into the area of responsibility currently led by the Georgia National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard, emphasized the unit’s families “who stand behind you, providing unwavering support and sacrifice.”
Guard members have been preparing for this deployment for two years. In August, the unit returned from one of the most grueling pre-deployment training environments at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson in Louisiana.
“You took on the crucible of all crucibles — JRTC is the Army’s premier training venue — and there you committed yourself to improving as a unit,” Gronewold said.
Gronewold stressed the heavy responsibility for providing peace and security in the Middle East during the unstable period of the past year.
“Recent events have reminded us of the volatile nature of the world. The Russian federation seeks to undermine the United States and democracy itself. Your mission to keep the peace and enforce the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty continues the ever-important thread for democracy in the Middle East.”
Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, battalion commander, said no other Army mission is quite like the MFO mission.
“It will be a year of great value to every Soldier who deploys and will help shape future leaders of the Oregon National Guard,” Rapp said.
The 1-186th Infantry Regiment previously mobilized to support security for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, the COVID-19 response in Oregon, and overseas operations in the Horn of Africa from 2019-2020, in Afghanistan from 2014-2015, and in Iraq from 2009-2010.
By John Hughel
Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office