Governor Kotek hosts mobilization ceremony for Oregon National Guard Soldiers deploying to Africa
Salem, Ore. — Governor Tina Kotek and Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon hosted a mobilization ceremony held in Salem, Oregon for approximately 10 members of the Oregon National Guard’s A (-) 641st Aviation on July 14, 2023.
The unit will provide fixed-wing air capabilities in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and AFRICOM from Djibouti and throughout the AFRICOM Theater of operations.
During the ceremony held in the State Capital Library, Gov. Kotek emphasized their long history of various missions with family and co-workers in attendance. “This group has responded to active duty missions, for numerous wildfires, Covid-19 response, they have found missing people, lost hikers…they have many stories to tell.”
“It’s an honor to be here with you, you are unwavering in your commitment, I want you to know that I see that, and all of Oregon does, so once again thank you,” said Gov. Kotek.
Unit members will first travel to Ft. Bliss, Texas for approximately two-weeks of training prior to deploying overseas. The unit has a long history of deploying overseas supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and later deploying to support Operation New Dawn in Iraq in 2010 while some members of the unit deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Their most recent mobilization was in 2017 when they deployed to Kuwait to support Operation Enduring Freedom followed by Operation Spartan Shield.
Photo caption- 230714-Z-CH590-0056: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (center) and Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon (far right), pause for a group photo with members of the Oregon National Guard’s A (-) 641st Aviation at the conclusion of their mobilization ceremony held at the Oregon State Capital, Salem, Oregon on July 14, 2023. The unit will provide fixed-wing air capabilities in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and AFRICOM from Djibouti and throughout the AFRICOM Theater of operations. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
The unit will provide fixed-wing air capabilities in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and AFRICOM from Djibouti and throughout the AFRICOM Theater of operations.
During the ceremony held in the State Capital Library, Gov. Kotek emphasized their long history of various missions with family and co-workers in attendance. “This group has responded to active duty missions, for numerous wildfires, Covid-19 response, they have found missing people, lost hikers…they have many stories to tell.”
“It’s an honor to be here with you, you are unwavering in your commitment, I want you to know that I see that, and all of Oregon does, so once again thank you,” said Gov. Kotek.
Unit members will first travel to Ft. Bliss, Texas for approximately two-weeks of training prior to deploying overseas. The unit has a long history of deploying overseas supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007 and later deploying to support Operation New Dawn in Iraq in 2010 while some members of the unit deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Their most recent mobilization was in 2017 when they deployed to Kuwait to support Operation Enduring Freedom followed by Operation Spartan Shield.
Photo caption- 230714-Z-CH590-0056: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (center) and Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon (far right), pause for a group photo with members of the Oregon National Guard’s A (-) 641st Aviation at the conclusion of their mobilization ceremony held at the Oregon State Capital, Salem, Oregon on July 14, 2023. The unit will provide fixed-wing air capabilities in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and AFRICOM from Djibouti and throughout the AFRICOM Theater of operations. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
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