Did the National Guard see combat in Iraq?

23 Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard, including one female Soldier, died during deployment overseas. During operations in Iraq, an estimated 119 Soldiers received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat.

Who has mobilized more than 500000 soldiers for federal missions since September 11 2001?

Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the National Guard has mobilized more than 500,000 soldiers for federal missions, according to the Guard, and, in its state role, has played an important part in disaster relief and homeland defense.

How many National Guard soldiers died in Iraq?

482 members of the Army National Guard have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Is the US military still in Iraq?

The coalition officially concluded its combat mission in Iraq in December 2021, but U.S. troops remain in Iraq to advise, train, and assist Iraqi security forces against the ongoing ISIL insurgency, including providing air support and military aid.

Does the National Guard count as military service?

Traditional service in the Reserve or National Guard includes initial entry training, one weekend drill or assembly per month, and two weeks of annual training per year; this traditional service generally is not considered as active duty for the purposes of veterans' benefits and services, with the exception of ...

Can a president override a governor on the National Guard?

Each state and territory's National Guard ordinarily operates under the command and control of its governor. However, there are a number of statutory authorities that allow the president to “call into federal service,” or “federalize,” the guard.

Who pays for the National Guard?

The National Guard can also be federalized but kept under state control, with the federal government paying for the deployment. (Statewide operations are normally funded by the state.)

Did the National Guard get deployed to Iraq?

Providing air support missions throughout the world for Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, the Air National Guard deployed 34,243 Citizen-Airmen, successfully completing 44,882 deployments.

Has the National Guard ever seen combat?

Guard members are called-up to provide security on the ground at airports and to protect the air space over America. Their combat mettle was also tested. National Guard members have supported more than 1.1 million overseas deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations since the attacks of 9/11.

Has the National Guard seen combat?

Guard companies deployed overseas may see combat , but are often found building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers or teaching local farmers more efficient techniques and better uses of their land. The National Guard is the oldest military branch.

Does the National Guard ever see combat?

Yes. Because of the National Guard's dual state-federal mission, Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas . Should this happen, you'll be trained, ready and prepared to go, mentally and physically.

Oregon Guard Night Crew Mission in Iraq (VIDEO) (2024)

Oct-30-2008 10:50Follow @OregonNews Tim King Salem-News.com

Oregon Guard soldiers assigned to an aviation support mission for the next year gain confidence in their roles.

Negative image of the C-23 Sherpa military aircraft
Photo by Tim King Salem-News.com

(BALAD, Iraq) - Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan have a seven day a week job with few exceptions. Members of an Oregon National Guard aviation support group stationed at Camp Anaconda at Balad, Iraq, are a shining example of those whose operation never rests.

In fact, the Oregon Guard 2/641 Aviation Support Group is in charge of the flight missions of two types of aircraft; the C-23 Sherpa transport plane and the "White Birds" which are the C-12 and Citation jet.

The Army's motto is "We Own the Night" and aviation is one specific area where operational tempo often increases after the sun sets. Flying slow, lumbering aircraft like the Sherpa can be dangerous during the day when enemy fire from the ground can inflict serious damage. At night, Iraq's temperatures are also reduced so the stress on the airplane is less.

The soldiers that comprise the 2/641 Aviation group are mostly from Oregon, but some members like Sgt. Chris Brown hail from other states, his case, Washington. They volunteered to be part of the Oregon Guard mission and will remain attached for the period of one year.

The base that most still know as Camp Anaconda is now officially called Joint Base Balad and it is home to more than 20,000 Americans. The Air Force has taken primary control of the base and the Oregon Guard soldiers work in conjunction with both the Air Force and the Navy and Marine Corps in this joint operation.

S/Sgt. Keith Downs says the troops are becoming increasingly adjusted and the stresses of being away from home and family are minimizing for some of the younger soldiers. He says they are performing at a high level in this around-the-clock mission.

These soldiers are responsible for planning flights, manifesting passengers and cargo onto the aircraft, and keeping tabs on them as they fly from point to point in Iraq and sometimes Kuwait.

For some soldiers like Sgt. Olivia Hunger, the long shifts and occasional tension are broken with a joke and a laugh when possible. She talked about how much she misses her little girl, as both Hunger and the child's father are serving a year tour at Balad, Iraq.

Hers is just one of many important and memorable stories from Iraq and I believe each one is worth hearing. The job these Oregonians have taken on is demanding and long-term. They will not drink or do many other things that they are accustomed to doing in their normal, everyday life. It is a huge sacrifice that they are willing to make.

I am back in Oregon now but I have looked forward to producing this story and presenting it to our viewers.

It is just an edited collection of random interviews with the soldiers pictured on the left. This is the third piece released on Salem-News.com that centers around the people of the Oregon Guard 2/641 Aviation Support Group.

WATCH THE VIDEO REPORT BELOW:

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com