Guard unit heads to Iraq
Group will relieve 38 fellow Soldiers serving at Balad since August
Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees has presided over countless mobilization ceremonies, but this one was different.
This one was more personal.
Among the 18 Oregon National Guard Soldiers he was sending off for duty in Iraq was his son, Lt. Col. Christian Rees.
"He's a professional, he has many years in service, and I have confidence in his leadership ability," said the elder Rees, adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard. "It would be difficult for any parent, but you have to stay focused and not let your mind wander."
Christian Rees is the commander of the second rotation of the 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment that is being deployed to Balad Air Base, about 60 miles north of Baghdad. He and his troops were recognized Tuesday during a mobilization ceremony in the House chamber at the state Capitol.
They will relieve 38 fellow Soldiers from the 2-641 who have been at Balad since August, conducting flight missions for transportation of supplies, equipment and personnel.
"They've been over there setting the stage for us and identifying any problems," said Lt. Col. Rees, who will be serving his first overseas deployment with the Guard. "Actually, it's the best situation we could hope for."
His troops will complete the unit's year-long deployment — about six months — after getting trained by the outgoing Soldiers.
The first rotation, scheduled to return home in mid- to late-February, has logged 800 missions and more than 3,500 flight hours, and reported moving 5 million pounds of cargo and 18,000 passengers, including commanding generals, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq and several U.S. and Iraqi dignitaries.
Six of the deploying Soldiers are from communities in Marion and Polk counties, including three from Salem. The group is made up of 12 men and six women. Some have done tours in the Middle East before, while others are deploying for the first time, like Pfc. Janel Martinez of Salem.
"I'm excited and a little nervous," she said. "But I get to do my job and learn."
Martinez is an analyst with the unit, and her job will be to analyze intelligence. Her fiance, Pfc. Ben Hayes, was with her at the ceremony.
"I'm jealous," Hayes said with a smile, adding that he hopes to be deployed in the near future.
Martinez admitted she's glad they're not deploying together.
"It's something I want to experience for myself," she said.
Gen. Rees told those attending the ceremony, mostly family and friends of the Soldiers, that he presented his son a copy of Army Gen. Bruce C. Clarke's famous memo about what Soldiers have a right to expect from their leaders.
"I know he's taking that to heart," Gen. Rees said, "and I know that he will do everything he can to take care of his Soldiers."
clynn@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6710
By Capi Lynn • Statesman Journal
January 7, 2009
Timothy J. Gonzalez | Statesman Journal
Pfc. Janel Martinez meets Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Tuesday during the mobilization ceremony of the 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment in the House chamber at the state Capitol.
The unit
Members of the 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment, according to the official program of the mobilization ceremony, as provided by the Oregon National Guard:
Commander: Lt. Col. Christian Rees, Portland
First Sergeant: Sgt. 1st Class David Darrow, Turner
Team Members
Maj. Raymond Hanosek, Central Point
Capt. Christopher Boeholt, Newberg
1st Lt. Jacob Cooper, Lake Oswego
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Clyde Tambling, Oregon City
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joseph Mollahan, Yamhill
Warrant Officer 1 James Swift, Stayton
Sgt. 1st Class Irene Guerra, Woodburn
Sgt. 1st Class Nancy Pine, Salem*
Staff Sgt. Robert Pence, Albany
Sgt. Amber Cordry, Milwaukie
Sgt. Tashia Paul, Salem
Spec. Randall Neuenschwander, hometown unavailable
Pfc. Crystal Dedera, Monmouth
Pfc. Marc Downing, Portland
Pfc. Janel Martinez, Salem
Pfc. Eric McCallister, Portland
*Departed December 2008
Gov. Ted Kulongoski accepts the unit guidon and and streamer from Lt. Col. Christian Rees.
The deployed
The Oregon National Guard currently has about 68 troops deployed in Iraq.
The 142nd Security Forces Squadron, with about 30 airmen, is in Kirkuk.
The 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment, with 38 Soldiers, is in Balad.
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