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HERMISTON, Ore. - Oregon Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers, assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, along with maintenance support members from the 145th Brigade Support Battalion were recognized by federal, state, and local officials during a demobilization ceremony, held at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, in Hermiston, Oregon on March 5, 2023. The event formally acknowledged the 75 members of the combined unit, during their nearly yearlong deployment to support overseas contingency operations in the Middle East.

The Oregon Soldiers were combined with two Army National Guard Companies from the Montana Army National Guard's 163rd Infantry Regiment, as part of ‘Task Force Griz,’ supporting the United States Central Command. In addition, service members from Idaho, Nevada, and Florida made up the total force supporting Operation Spartan Shield, strengthening defense relationships, and building partner nation abilities in the region.

While addressing the troops of Bravo Company, Maj. Gen. Micheal E. Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, described several important enduring characteristics of their deployment, which included participation in the Eager Lion Multinational Exercise, conducted in Jordan and involved Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, as well as the host nation.

“The exercise enhanced America’s ability to coordinate and operate effectively as a member in a multi-national joint force when they arrived,” he said, detailing many of the accomplishments. “This mission placed all of you in a dynamic part of the world, and you performed your duties in line with our core values of competency and commitment.”

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Idaho and is made up of soldiers across the four western states of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. The unit is one of five armored brigade combat teams in the U.S. National Guard and one of 16 in the United States Army.

Touching on some of the individual accomplishments, Stencel highlighted several unit members, with practically one member who has been on multiple overseas assignments.

“First Sergeant Alejandro Sanchez, has now deployed three times, in three decades - and all with Bravo Company,” he said.

In his two previous deployments, Sanchez was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005, and then during his second deployment to Iraq from 2010 to 2011, as part of Operation New Dawn, he served as an assistant convoy commander for the unit. With this third deployment, he has taken part in all three of the unit’s largest mobilizations since 9/11.

“I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of each of your individual efforts and appreciative of the support by your families, friends, and employers while you were away,” Stencel said while concluding his remarks. “Thank you for the service to the nation for a job extremely well done.”

Serving as a representative for Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, State Treasurer Tobias Read also welcomed the unit home while reflecting on their collective actions.

“Service is a shared commitment, so I hope you will join me in a big round of applause for all the family, friends, and employers who made this mission a success - both at home and abroad,” said Read, in his address to those attending.

The Oregon Soldiers were initially mobilized on Nov. 4, 2021, under the command of Army National Guard Capt. Sean Popravak, and first conducted additional specialized training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before departing overseas.

“Our mission was to be a mobile, armored reaction force to deter malign foreign influence and reassure allies within the Middle East of the United States' continued commitment to the region,” said Popravak.

Arriving on New Year’s Day 2022 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, the unit brought their Oregon tanks to the range and ensured all tanks were able to move, shoot and communicate. They also ‘inherited’ eight MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), from theater stock and brought them to working condition. Platoons became proficient in MRAP rollover trainers, Obstacle Courses, realistic CLS training, and vehicle decontamination. They also conducted truck gunnery on the MRAP platform, a first for many new Soldiers.

In October, the unit redeployed stateside, working for the 29th Infantry Division and later in conjunction with the 35th Infantry Division, subsequently, returning their tanks over to Alpha Company, 2nd Brigade, of the 116th Cavalry Regiment.

“By your actions, you have obviously proven yourself as a highly skilled and trained force that is always prepared to respond both domestically and abroad,” said Read during his concluding remarks.

Read also thanked each member as they proceeded through a receiving line of local, state, and federal officials, each receiving The Adjutant General and Governors ‘Challenge Coins.’ In this same spirit of unity, an American Flag was given to service members that had been flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington, D.C.

“I want to offer one other observation - when it’s really easy for us to focus on the things that divide us, I am practically struck by the important example all of you provide,” Read noted, as he summarized his sentiments to the unit members. “What you found, when you all worked together to accomplish a shared purpose, the superficial things seemed to slide away. And we remember that we are all Oregonians…as we work to build the state for ourselves and future generations.”

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Event Imagery:

230305-Z-CH590-0008: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry stand in formation at the beginning of their demobilization ceremony on March 5, 2023 in Hermiston, Oregon. The unit was deployed for nearly a year to support Operation Spartan Shield, strengthening defensive relationships, and building partner nation’s abilities in the Middle East. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230305-Z-CH590-0053: Oregon State Treasury Tobias Read, representing Gov. Tina Kotek, hands out the ‘Governors’ Challenge Coins’ to each member of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry at the conclusion of their demobilization ceremony on March 5, 2023 in Hermiston, Oregon. The unit was deployed for nearly a year to support Operation Spartan Shield, strengthening defensive relationships, and building partner nation’s abilities in the Middle East. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230305-Z-CH590-0109: Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Sean Popravak shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Raymond Rees (ret.) at the conclusion of the demobilization ceremony members of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry on March 5, 2023 in Hermiston, Oregon. Popravak served as the unit commander as 75 members were deployed for nearly a year to support Operation Spartan Shield, strengthening defensive relationships, and building partner nation’s abilities in the Middle East. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230305-Z-CH590-0134: U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, address those attending the official Demobilization Ceremony for Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry on March 5, 2023 in Hermiston, Oregon. The unit was deployed for nearly a year to support Operation Spartan Shield, strengthening defensive relationships, and building partner nation’s abilities in the Middle East. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230305-Z-CH590-0074: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry are presented with American Flags that were flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. to honor their mobilization to support Operation Spartan Shield. The nearly yearlong deployment to the Middle East helped defensive relationships, and building partnerships with U.S. allies in the region. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Group ‘A’ File photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7664927/demobilization-ceremony-bravo-company-3rd-battalion-116th-cavalry-regiment

Group ‘B’ File photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7666098/demobilization-ceremony-bravo-company-3rd-battalion-116th-cavalry-regiment

Live screen presentation:

Story Published on DVIDS:

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/439785/oregon-national-guard-welcomes-home-hermiston-soldiers-after-overseas-deployment

Mobilization 002

SALEM, Ore. – More than 75 Oregon Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers, assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, along with maintenance support members from the 145th Brigade Support Battalion, are scheduled to conduct a formal demobilization ceremony on March 5, 2023, at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center In Hermiston.

The Oregon Soldiers were combined with two Army National Guard Companies from the Montana Army National Guard's 163rd Infantry Regiment, as part of TASK FORCE GRIZ, supporting the United States Central Command. In addition, service members from Idaho, Nevada, and Florida made up the total force supporting OPERATION SPARTAN SHIELD, strengthening defense relationships, and building partner nation abilities in the region.

These Citizen-Soldiers were initially mobilized on Nov. 4, 2021. Prior to their overseas deployment, the unit, under the command of Army National Guard Capt. Sean Popravak, first conducted additional specialized training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and departed for Qatar in early January 2022. 

“Our mission was to be a mobile, armored reaction force to deter malign foreign influence and reassure allies within the Middle East of the United States' continued commitment to the region,” said Popravak. 

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Idaho and consists of Soldiers from the four western states of Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The unit is one of five armored brigade combat teams in the U.S. National Guard and one of 16 in the United States Army.  

“While deployed, we participated in Eager Lion, a multinational military exercise involving 29 other partner nations in Jordan,” Popravak said, describing some of the highlights of the nearly yearlong mobilization. “It was an exciting and rewarding experience exchanging military expertise and improving interoperability among our forces through various training scenarios and live fire events.”

Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read and Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, are scheduled to welcome home and serve as the presiding officials on behalf of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, during their official welcome home ceremony. 

The Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center is located at 1705 E. Airport Road in Hermiston, Oregon 97838. The ceremony is open to the media and community members who desire to welcome the unit service members home.

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Released imagery:

Mobilization Ceremony photos

211104-Z-CH590-0260: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment along with members of the 145th Brigade Support Battalion, and are formally recognized before family, friends and co-workers during a mobilizing ceremony on Nov. 4, 2021 at Hermiston, Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

211104-Z-CH590-0093: Oregon Army National Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment along with members of the 145th Brigade Support Battalion, and are formally recognized before family, friends and co-workers during a mobilizing ceremony on Nov. 4, 2021 at Hermiston, Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Deployment Overseas photos

Deployment photographs 001 to 005: Images provided by the unit members during their mobilization in various areas of operation as part of OPERATION SPARTAN SHIELD. 

001: B-34 Medevac Training TA4, Kuwait

002: 1st Platoon Range 10, Kuwait

003: Formation One, Jordan

004: Live-Fire Prep, Jordan

005: B11 loaded on C-17 Globemaster III