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SALEM, Oregon – The Oregon Military Department is scheduled to formally dedicate the new Maj. Gen. George A. White Headquarters building in Salem, Oregon, during a dedication ceremony on Sept. 26, 2018, at 2:00 pm.
The facility is located at 230 Geer Dr. NE in Salem, Oregon. Decedents of Maj. Gen. George A. White are scheduled to attend the dedication. The public and media are invited to attend.
“This is a seismically sound, functional and beautifully modern building,” said Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs. “It’s also to honor one of our nation’s and Oregon’s most historic military figures.”
The new headquarters building is named after Maj. Gen. White, honoring the legacy and service of the Oregon National Guard’s longest-serving adjutant general. Until the time of his passing in 1941, White had served nearly 27 years as adjutant general, dating back to Feb. 1, 1915.
Born July 18, 1880, in Long Branch, Illinois, White began nearly a half-century of service to his country by first enlisting in the Utah National Guard on August 1, 1895. After serving in the Utah artillery during the Spanish-American War, he joined the Third Infantry of the Oregon National Guard and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in August 1907. He served on active duty on the Mexican border in 1916, commanding Troop A, Oregon Cavalry, and on Sept. 10, 1917, he was assigned to the newly organized 41st Division prior to WWI. White served in France from Jan. 10, 1918, to June 18, 1919, serving both with the 41st Division and General Headquarters of the American Expeditionary Force, serving on the staff of General John J. Pershing.
General White was one of four officers credited with founding the America Legion while in France and became the first vice-commander and adjutant while the American troops were still overseas.
He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1926, and the Army War College, Washington, D.C. in 1928. White was awarded by the President of France as Chevalier, Ordre De l’Étoile Noire (Knight, Order of the Black Star) and the Cross of the Legion of Honor.
In his professional life, White first started working for the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 16. When White moved to Portland he worked as a journalist, and became a member of the editorial staff for The Oregonian. He later married Henrietta Diana Fletcher and they had two children.
The 41st Division was ordered into federal service to prepare for World War II on September 16, 1940. White led his troops successfully through training maneuvers in California and war games in western Washington, but died on November 23, 1941, after becoming ill.
“General White possessed, as few men did, an ever abiding love for his fellow men and an unflagging devotion for his country. Wherever the 41st Division may go, there also will he go in spirit,” said Lt. Col. John T. Murray, with the publishing of Official Order Number 31 shortly after White’s death.
In 1954, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal of the American Legion.
The new Oregon National Guard headquarters facility is 55,078 square-feet and is situated on an 8.1-acre parcel adjacent to the Anderson Readiness Center on State Street. With a total financial cost of $26 million, this Military Construction (MILCON) project is a combination of federal ($19.3 million) and state ($6.7 million) funding. The project was awarded in July 2016 to Fortis Construction Company and SERA Architects. Construction commenced in May 2017 and occupancy began in July 2018.
Facility construction meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and State Energy Efficient Design (SEED) requirements. The facility is designed to ensure operational flexibility, reduce operations and maintenance costs, and will allow for future expansion. In addition, the building will meet seismic Essential Facility requirements for immediate use in emergency response following a seismic event.
The Oregon Military Department’s purpose is to administer, house, equip and train the Oregon National Guard - a ready force to support the governor and a reserve force to the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. The Oregon National Guard has a long tradition and history dating back to 1843. The National Guard is found in both the U.S. Constitution and the Oregon Constitution. The tradition and history of the Oregon National Guard was grounded on the basis of its motto, "When we are needed, we are there." Nearly 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen currently serve in the Oregon National Guard throughout the state, ready to respond to any contingency, natural or man-made, at home or abroad.
The Oregon Military Department will be hosting an event in honor of National Public Lands Day at Biak Training Center located at 2899 E 126 Highway, Redmond, Oregon from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 21.
The Oregon Military Department Environmental Branch was awarded a grant through the National Environmental Education Foundation and Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program to fund the event. The theme for National Public Lands Day, 2018, is natural resource resilience and restoration. In this spirit, the event will focus on the importance of pollinator species and creating habitat for them to live in and will include a presentation on pollinator species, a hands-on bat house building workshop in the morning and a site clean-up activity in the afternoon.
Participants will include the Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program cadets and local home-school organizations. National Public Lands Day helps ensure people of all ages and abilities connect with public lands for recreation, hands-on learning and community building. The Oregon Military Department looks forward to hosting this event, continuing our role in environmental stewardship, and keeping our training lands sustainable for the future.
For more information please contact Valerie Arkell, Natural Resource Specialist, at 503-584-3198 or valerie.j.arkell.nfg@mail.mil.
Captions:
Cadet Jacob Becker stands in the foreground during clean up efforts coinciding with National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29. Cadet Brendon Coleman picks up a piece of trash in the background on the right side of the photo. After nearly six hours of work the nearly 120 cadets picked up several dumpster loads of debris from BLM land near Bend, Ore.
180912-YP317-Z-0020 - Two cadets from the Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program provide a tour of their facility to Oregon legislators with the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success in Bend, Oregon, September 12, 2018. The tour was the first stop of many schools in Central Oregon that the committee was visiting. (Photo by Christopher L. Ingersoll, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
180912-YP317-Z-0026 - Two cadets with the Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program discuss their dining facility with Oregon legislators with the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success in Bend, Oregon, September 12, 2018. The tour was the first stop of many schools in Central Oregon that the committee was visiting. (Photo by Christopher L. Ingersoll, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
180912-YP317-Z-0033 - The third platoon guidon marks the entry of the female bay at the Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program facility in Bend, Oregon, September 12, 2018. (Photo by Christopher L. Ingersoll, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
180912-YP317-Z-0039 - Oregon legislators with the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success learn about the academic structure of the Oregon National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in Bend, Oregon, September 12, 2018. The tour was the first stop of many schools in Central Oregon that the committee was visiting. (Photo by 1st Lt. Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
Members of the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success include:
Senate Members:
Sen. Arnie Roblan, Co-Chair
Sen. Tim Knopp, Co-Vice Chair
Sen. Alan DeBoer
Sen. Lew Frederick
Sen. Mark Hass
Sen. Kathleen Taylor
Sen. Kim Thatcher
House Members:
Rep. Barbara Smith Warner, Co-Chair
Rep. Greg Smith, Co-Vice Chair
Rep. Brian Clem
Staff:
Lisa Gezelter, LPRO Analyst
Lisa Rybloom, Committee Assistant
PORTLAND, Oregon – Members of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 125th Special Tactics Squadron mobilized to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Sept. 12, 2018, to provide humanitarian support for Hurricane Florence relief.
Approximately 12 Oregon Air National Guardsmen departed from the Portland Air National Guard Base at 2:00 p.m. on a California Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft headed to Dover Air Force Base. They will forward deploy from Dover after the Hurricane passes through. The Airmen are prepared to conduct rescue operations as well as reestablish air fields that may become inoperable due to the hurricane.
“This is one of our many missions to protect and serve the United States of America.” said 142nd Fighter Wing Vice Commander Col. Todd Hofford. “We have a very elite group of special operations forces that include Air Force combat controllers and pararescuemen that have a unique skill set in this time of need.”
Along with the Airmen, the Special Tactics Squadron brought inflatable Zodiac boats, all-terrain vehicles, and mini-bikes to aid in their operations.
B-Roll, still images and Interviews can be downloaded here: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/142FW
Photo Caption
180912-Z-LJ997-0022
Airmen of the 125th Special Tactics Squadron deploy from Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. Sept. 12, 2018, to Dover Air Force Base, DE in response to Hurricane Florence, which is scheduled to make landfall this week. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brandon Boyd, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will host EA-18G Growler aircraft from the VAQ-132 out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, September 10-19, 2018, to conduct dissimilar air combat training (DACT). The EA-18s will arrive at the Portland Air National Guard Base this week.
DACT provides realistic combat scenarios for pilots to hone advanced aerial tactics that may be used against potential adversaries. The training is an essential and required component to ensure military readiness in support of the base’s national and state missions.
Flights will depart from and land at the Portland International Airport. In an effort to foster coordination with the community and the Port of Portland, flights will launch daily after 8 a.m. and will conclude before 4 p.m.
About the 142nd Fighter Wing
The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Fighter Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour Aerospace Control Alert as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.
For more information, contact Steven Conklin, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs, at steven.l.conklin2.mil@mail.mil
Photo Caption
170712-A-IK464-093
United States Navy EA-18G Growlers from VAQ-132 "Scorpion" Squadron conducts Air to Air refuelling operations with an RAAF KC-30 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft from No 33 Squadron. RAAF Base Amberley is the main operating base for RAAF and United States aircraft activities during Talisman Saber 2017. (Royal Australian Air Force photo by Sgt. Peter Borys)
Closed to Media
PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will
conduct a combat readiness and massive aircraft response exercise September 8-9,
2018.
This exercise will test the wing’s ability to complete its mission while simulating a hostile
environment. This allows the wing to evaluate mission readiness for wartime
assignments. The exercise will include night flying on Saturday, September 9, which will
conclude by 9:30 p.m.
Base personnel will capture B-roll imagery of the exercise. Please contact Steven
Conklin at steven.l.conklin2.mil@mail.mil if interested.
About the 142nd Fighter Wing
The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic
impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Fighter Wing defends our
homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from
northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour Aerospace Control Alert as part
of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat
aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our
nation, state and community.
For more information, contact the 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 503-335-
4347.
Photo Caption Info - 121013-Z-CH590-003
PORTLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE – Portland, Ore., Oregon Air National Guard Senior Airman Briana Ferr and Master Sgt. Dena Johnson of the 142nd Fighter Wing review their Airman’s Manual as they respond to a simulated attack during an operational readiness exercise, Oct. 13, 2012. The 142nd Fight Wing has begun training for an Operational Readiness Phase II inspection to occur in 2013. (U.S. Photo by Tech. Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs/Released)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, September 4 at 1:30 p.m. for the new 173rd Fighter Wing recruiting center office, located at the Recruiting Career Center in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The office opened in April, and Master Sgt. Darren Bennett, 173rd FW Recruiting Manager, said they have already increased the number of walk-in leads by nearly 75%.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the recruiters to connect with the Klamath Falls community and reach our manning goals for the Oregon Air National Guard,” added Bennett.
U.S. Air Force Major General Michael Stencel, the Adjutant General for Oregon, will lead the event. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Stencel will enlist the newest members to the Oregon Air National Guard.
What: 173rd FW Recruiting Office ribbon cutting ceremony
When: Tuesday, September 4 at 1:30 p.m. (please arrive no later than 10 minutes prior)
Where: Klamath Falls Recruiting Career Center
3160 South 6th St.
Klamath Falls, Ore. 97603
Note: Please contact the wing’s public affairs office at 541-885-6677 to coordinate coverage of the event.
PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will be hosting Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler for a visit of the air base and a ceremony dedicating the Wing’s flagship F-15 Eagle to the City of Portland, August 31, 2018.
The 142nd had previously dedicated an F-15A (0142) to the City of Portland, however, the ‘Redhawk’ flagship, tail number 031, and F-15C model, will be unveiled with new nose art depicting the City of Portland as a part of the 142nd Fighter Wing’s Cities of Honor program. The Cities of Honor Program began in 2007 as a way to honor the outstanding community support the Oregon Air National Guard receives from local communities that are home to Oregon Guard members. As a city of honor, a uniquely designed piece of nose art symbolizing that city will be dedicated and flown on one of the 142nd Fighter Wing F-15’s for years to come.
Historically, nose art was used to personalize combat aircraft and boost unit morale. During World War II, unique and highly detailed designs highlighted a unit’s pride with the artwork on the aircraft. Today, the Air Force allows for specialized artwork for fighter aircraft that are distinctive for the particular unit. The designs created for the 142nd Fighter Wing aircraft were fashioned to reflect local communities that support the wing and are home to many 142nd Fighter Wing members who serve in the Oregon Air National Guard.
Media is invited to attend the ceremony to capture b-roll, and soundbites from the Wing Commander. Those wishing to attend may contact 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Superintendent Steven Conklin at 917-413-2184 or steven.l.conklin2.mil@mail.mil.
About the 142nd Fighter Wing
The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Fighter Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour Aerospace Control Alert as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.
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PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will conduct routine F-15 Eagle night training missions August 27-30, 2018.
Night training allows the Citizen-Airmen pilots based at the Portland Air National Guard Base to stay current with mandatory Air Force requirements. Night flying is conducted almost monthly as it provides essential training for nighttime maneuvers. Training flights will be completed each evening before 10:30 p.m.
About the 142nd Fighter Wing
The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Fighter Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour Aerospace Control Alert as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.
For more information, contact 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs at 503-335-4347.
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