Ashland, Ore. — Even with President Obama’s announcement to bring troops home, more than 1,000 Oregon National Guard Soldiers are preparing for a mission in Afghanistan.
Members of the 1st Battalion 186 Infantry Regiment, based in Ashland, said they’re not surprised by the announcement. Lt. Col. Noel Hoback said he’s seen a decrease in mission sizes over the past year and a half.
“They’ve asked us to send less soldiers than what they’ve initially asked us to send,” Hoback said.
Tuesday, other members of the Guard’s 41st Brigade met with Senator Ron Wyden in Idaho as they prepare to mobilize this summer. More than 1,000 Oregon National Guard soldiers will go including about 300 from Southern Oregon.
“We still have soldiers on the ground and there still has to be someone providing security,” Hoback said.
He also said he’s not sure how the announcement will affect the upcoming mission.
The men and women will be deployed for 11 months. A mobilization ceremony is scheduled for July 18th at the Southern Oregon University McNeal Pavilion at 10 a.m.
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