142nd Wing To Conduct Independence Day Flyovers (Photo) -07/02/25

Eastern Oregon Military Installation Saves Endangered Owls Through Innovative Program (Photo) -06/24/25

UMATILLA, Ore. – Deep in the sandy terrain of Rees Training Center, a small owl with bright yellow eyes peers from an artificial burrow that has become home to the most successful burrowing owl colony in the United States.

 

What began as a desperate conservation effort in 2008 has transformed into a remarkable success story, with the Oregon National Guard training installation now hosting more than 100 nesting pairs of the diminutive raptors – a dramatic increase from just five remaining pairs 17 years ago. Rees Training Center serves as the Oregon Military Department's premier training facility for the Oregon National Guard.

 

"This has become one of the most successful colonies in the United States right now," said Janet Johnson, Natural Resources Program Manager for the Oregon Military Department, during recent monitoring operations at the site. "Last year was a bumper crop. We had an amazing amount of forage, and the population doubled from 2023 to 2024."

 

The colony's success stems from an innovative partnership between the Oregon Military Department, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and wildlife researchers led by conservationist David "DJ" Johnson of the Global Owl Project. When natural badger burrows disappeared due to decades of military development, the team developed an artificial burrow system using repurposed apple juice barrels from a local processing plant.

 

Each artificial burrow consists of two chambers – one for nesting and another for food storage – connected by irrigation tubing that serves as the entrance tunnel. The system is designed to last 10-15 years and can be relocated when military training requirements change.

 

"My number one job here is to ensure that the military can continue to train on this parcel into perpetuity," Johnson explained. "In order to do that, they need a healthy ecosystem without restrictions from endangered species or species of concern. Those tend to go together quite nicely."

 

The collaborative effort has attracted researchers from around the world to study the colony. Solai Le Fay, a master's student in raptor biology at Boise State University, is currently leading field research efforts and using 11 years of data for her thesis work.

 

"Every single chick and every single adult in 17 years has been banded," Johnson noted. "We know their ancestry, who was their father, who was their mother. We're getting six generations over time."

 

The program demonstrates how military installations can balance training missions with conservation goals. Lt. Col. Mark Timmons, incoming commander of the 249th Regional Training Institute at Rees Training Center, said his Soldiers frequently train in areas near the owl burrows.

"We walk that ground training, and they do tend to coexist quite well," Johnson said of the relationship between military operations and the owl population.

 

The research has contributed to nine different scientific discoveries about burrowing owl behavior and biology, with studies ranging from vocalization patterns to migration tracking using GPS transmitters.

Lindsay Chiono, Wildlife Habitat Ecologist for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, leads tribal conservation efforts on adjacent lands where about two-thirds of the colony's burrows are located.

 

"The tribal side and the Oregon Military Department biologists work together to manage the colony as a whole," Johnson said. "The tribe is doing a tremendous amount of effort on their end and has really dedicated a lot of resources."

 

The colony's success has made it a model for other military installations across the Department of Defense, proving that conservation and military readiness can advance hand-in-hand.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

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Released B-Roll Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/967966/oregon-national-guards-rees-training-center-hosts-nations-most-successful-burrowing-owl-colony

 

Released Photos:

 

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A visitor holds a burrowing owl chick during monitoring and banding operations at Rees Training Center, Oregon, June 11, 2025. The installation hosts the most successful burrowing owl colony in the United States, with over 100 nesting pairs supported through artificial burrow systems developed through a collaborative conservation effort between the Oregon Military Department and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

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Solai Le Fay, a master's student in raptor biology at Boise State University, holds an adult burrowing owl during monitoring and banding operations at Rees Training Center, Oregon, June 11, 2025. Le Fay is leading field research efforts for the colony and using 11 years of data for her thesis work as part of the ongoing collaborative conservation effort between the Oregon Military Department and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

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Three burrowing owl chicks sit in a collection bucket during monitoring and banding operations at Rees Training Center, Oregon, June 11, 2025. Researchers use the buckets to safely hold the young owls while conducting measurements, health assessments, and banding procedures as part of the ongoing conservation program that has grown the colony from four pairs in 2008 to over 100 nesting pairs today. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

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Janet Johnson, Natural Resources Program Manager for the Oregon Military Department, places a burrowing owl on a digital field scale during monitoring operations at Rees Training Center, Oregon, June 11, 2025. Weight measurements are part of the comprehensive data collection that tracks the health and development of the owls in what has become the most successful burrowing owl colony in the United States. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

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Christine Clyne sets a burrowing owl chick on the ground before it returns to its artificial burrow through the irrigation tubing entrance at Rees Training Center, Oregon, June 11, 2025. The artificial burrow system, constructed from repurposed juice barrels and irrigation tubing, has enabled the colony to grow from four remaining pairs in 2008 to become the most successful burrowing owl conservation program in the United States. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Media Advisory: Oregon National Guard To Showcase Future Of MEDEVAC Technology At Army Aviation Support Facility (Photo) -06/09/25

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard is scheduled to host a tour of new medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) technology at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem at 1:00 p.m. on June 11. 

 

The tour will showcase two upcoming pieces of MEDEVAC technology: the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) MEDEVAC patient handling system and the Vita Rescue System (VRS) litter. 

 

A 20-foot transportable mockup of the FLRAA MEDEVAC patient handling system, known as the Future MEDEVAC Cabin Technical Demonstrator, is touring across the country to multiple military installations, gathering feedback from critical care flight paramedics on the system’s design. 

 

“Due to the Oregon National Guard’s high proficiency and familiarity with MEDEVAC missions, it is the only reserve unit participating in this unique opportunity,” said Lt. Col. Nathan Edgecombe, Oregon Army National Guard State Aviation Officer. “Flight medics from Oregon’s Golf Company, 189 Aviation are currently testing the cabin’s capabilities and their input will directly impact the final production design.” 

 

The VRS improves search and rescue operations by preventing spinning during hoist operations through the use of gyros and fans. This new technology reduces overall hover time and pilot fatigue during rescues. The Oregon National Guard is one the first units in the country authorized to use this device. 

 

Live demonstrations of the Future MEDEVAC Cabin Technical Demonstrator and the VRS litter will be conducted during the tour. There will also be a HH-60M Black Hawk display with Soldiers present to discuss Oregon National Guard’s disaster response capabilities.

 

Media entities are encouraged to RSVP with Lt. Col. Stephen S. Bomar, Director - Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department at 971-355-3527 for access.

 

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Oregon Guard's Norwegian Foot March Brings Military, Civilians Together For Historic Challenge (Photo) -06/08/25

MEDFORD, Ore. – In the pre-dawn light of a beautiful summer morning, 101 participants gathered at U.S. Cellular Field as they prepared for one of the military's most grueling endurance tests. By the time the sun rose over the lush, green foliage of southern Oregon, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians were already miles into the 18.6-mile Norwegian Foot March.

 

The June 8 event, hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, brought together military personnel from across the Pacific Northwest and local civilians for the historic challenge that dates back to 1915. Participants carried 24-pound rucksacks as they traversed the scenic route, testing not just their physical endurance but their ability to remain combat-ready after a demanding long-distance march.

 

"This event really showcases how integrated our battalion is with the community," said Lt. Col. Heather Robinson, 1-186 Infantry Rear Detachment commander. "The Oregon National Guard is the military service of choice for many because our members live and work right here in communities like Medford. They serve their neighbors during disasters like wildland fires and deploy to protect our country – it's that dual mission that makes us unique."

 

The march attracted participants from multiple military installations, including Oregon Air National Guard members from the 142nd Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base and the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls. Even a Soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington, made the journey to participate in the challenging event.

 

"It's a great event just for Soldier endurance and camaraderie," said 1st Lt. Ian Namu, who organized the march. "It's also the 250th Army anniversary, so it's kind of cool to celebrate that with an Army event like this."

 

Namu, a Southern Oregon University graduate with a degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, drew on his educational background to plan the logistics-heavy event. His experience in outdoor event planning proved invaluable, though he noted that dealing with city permits presented more challenges than the actual route reconnaissance.

 

The Norwegian Foot March originated in 1915 when the Norwegian army developed the test to determine if Soldiers could complete long movements while maintaining combat readiness. The tradition has continued for over a century, with participants earning coveted badges based on their completion times.

 

"The whole point of this isn't just to get the 18.6 miles done, but to be done marching and then ready for combat," Namu explained to participants before the 5 a.m. step-off. "If you're smoked after this, maybe look at yourself and be like, 'Hey, I need to be like those Soldiers back in 1915.'"

 

The event drew strong community participation, with local civilians testing themselves alongside military personnel. Owen Neely claimed the top civilian spot with an impressive time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, while 2nd Lt. Wolfgang Seifer, the battalion's intelligence officer, took first place overall.

 

Local military recruiters provided trophies for the top four finishers, recognizing both the competitive spirit and community partnership that defined the event.

 

For Namu, this marked his third Norwegian Foot March participation, having previously completed the challenge with other units. His first attempt ended in failure, but persistence paid off in subsequent years.

"First year I didn't pass. The second year I did pass," Namu recalled. "This will be my third one, and it's cool; I get to plan and put it on now."

 

The successful event demonstrated the Oregon National Guard's commitment to both military readiness and community engagement, bringing together 101 participants for a challenge that tested physical limits while honoring military tradition.

 

As the summer sun climbed higher over the verdant Oregon landscape, participants crossed the finish line carrying more than just their 24-pound rucksacks – they carried forward a 110-year tradition of military endurance and the spirit of service that connects the Guard to the communities they protect.

 

 

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Released B-Roll: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/965908/oregon-guard-honors-armys-250th-with-century-old-norwegian-endurance-challenge

 

 

Release Photos:

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1001 – Participants gather at the start line in the pre-dawn light at U.S. Cellular Field in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025, before beginning the Norwegian Foot March. The 18.6-mile endurance test, hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, drew 101 military personnel and civilians, each carrying a 24-pound rucksack. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1002 – Military service members and civilians navigate a stretch of trail during the Norwegian Foot March in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. The historic endurance test brought together 101 participants, including Soldiers, Airmen and civilians, to complete the challenging 18.6-mile route while carrying 24-pound rucksacks. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1003 – Four Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment march shoulder to shoulder on a portion of the trail during the Norwegian Foot March in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. The century-old military endurance test challenged participants to complete 18.6 miles while carrying 24-pound rucksacks and maintaining combat readiness. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1004 – Staff Sgt. Mitchell Sierra with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment crosses the finish line in second place with a time of 3 hours and 20 minutes during the Norwegian Foot March in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. The challenging 18.6-mile endurance test required participants to carry 24-pound rucksacks while completing the historic military challenge that dates back to 1915. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1005 – Top finishers of the Norwegian Foot March pose with local recruiters after the awards ceremony in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. From left: Sgt. 1st Class Andreason, Medford recruiter; Spc. Robert Rowland, third place (3:30); Staff Sgt. Mitchell Sierra, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, second place (3:20); 2nd Lt. Wolfgang Seifer, first place (3:19); Senior Master Sgt. Justin Lafon, 173rd Fighter Wing Medical Group, fourth place (3:48); and Staff Sgt. Garrett Wasson, Medford recruiter. Local recruiters provided trophies for the top four finishers of the 18.6-mile endurance challenge. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

 

250608-Z-ZJ128-1006 – Sgt. 1st Class Andreason, Medford recruiter, presents Owen Neely with a t-shirt and finisher's medal after Neely completed the Norwegian Foot March as the top civilian finisher in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. Neely finished the challenging 18.6-mile endurance test with a time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, earning recognition alongside military participants who carried 24-pound rucksacks throughout the historic march. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)