Oregon National Guard 115th MPAD Deploys to Iraq

Members of the 115th Mobile Public Affairs assemble for a final formation at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Oregon, May 23, before deploying. The unit will deploy to Iraq for one year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the MPAD will spend two months training at Fort Dix, NJ before heading to the Middle East. Oregon National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Choy, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs.

(From right to left): Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski, Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard, Brig. Gen. Charles Yriarte, Commander, 82 Brigade, Oregon Army National Guard and Lt. Col. Donald Rolf, Commander, 821 Special Troops Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, salute the U.S. flag during a mobilization ceremony May 23, for the Oregon Army National Guard's 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.


Maj. Don Troxell, commander of the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, passes the unit guidon to Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski during the unit's mobilization ceremony May 23, 2007, in Salem, Oregon.



The 22 soldiers deploying are:
Maj. Don Troxell of Bend, Oregn
Capt. Edward Vance of Sacramento, California
Lt. Stephen Bomar of Keizer, Oregon
Lt. Richard Ybarra of Vancouver, Washington
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cummings of Kuna, Idaho
Staff Sgt. Russell Bassett of Molalla, Oregon
Staff Sgt. Michael Gholston of Portland, Oregon
Staff Sgt. Timothy Lumpkin of Milwaukie, Oregon
Sgt. Kevin Hartman of Eugene, Eugene
Spc. Stephanie Bacon of West Linn, Oregon
Spc. Elizabeth Conley of Springfield, Oregon
Spc. Anna Judd of Medford, Oregon
Spc. Patrick Lair of Sweet Home, Oregon
Spc. Eric Rutherford of Turner, Oregon
Spc. Jason Van Mourik of West Linn, Oregon
Pfc. John Crosby of Portland, Oregon
Pvt. Loruhama Lopez of Hillsboro, Oregon
Pvt. Matthew Mikolas of Hillsboro, Oregon
Pvt. Nicolas Moler of Portland, Oregon
Pvt. Kirby Rider of Medford, Oregon
Spc. Catie Beck of Pella, Iowa
Sgt. Margaret Nelson of Bend, Oregon



We wish you well and send our gratitude for your service to our country.
You and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers.