[pjw] NEWS: Gov Brown already deployed the Guard abroad- we have our answer

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hello fellow activists hoping to keep Oregon's Guard in Oregon:

I ran across the below article, with a stamped date of November 18, on the 
Jobs with Justice Twitter feed. After we sent our letter to Gov. Brown on 
Friday, November 8, I was hoping that maybe for the first time in over a 
decade of sending these letters we would have a reply. Perhaps this was 
the silent reply. According to the article, the Guard have been deployed 
to Qatar, Djibouti (where the US has a major drone base) and to support 
Operations "Inherent Resolve" (the war on ISIS in Iraq and Syria) and 
"Resolute Support" (the war in Afghanistan). Where do they come up with 
these names?

So, despite our plea not to send Oregonians into undeclared war zones, our 
efforts have not been strong enough and perhaps were a little late this 
year as the deployments seem to have happened on Sept. 28, Oct. 13, and 
Nov. 3-- 5 days before we sent our letter.

I think it's worth letting the Governor know that we do not support these 
deployments.

--dan handelman
peace and justice works

  https://www.myoregon.gov/2019/11/18/oregon-national-guardsmen-mobilized-across-the-state-for-diverse-overseas-operations/
Oregon National Guardsmen Mobilized Across the State for Diverse Overseas
Operations
    By [47]Master Sgt. John Hughel on November 18, 2019

    SALEM -- Oregon Army and Air National Guardsmen, from Ashland to
    Astoria, and all points in-between, have been mobilized for deployment
    while being recognized by their communities in multiple ceremonies
    around the state in recent weeks.

    The mobilization of troops marks one of the largest activations in
    Oregon history as families, neighbors and employers gathered at
    Armories, College stadiums and High School gyms to wish good luck, and
    say their heartfelt good-byes.

    The first group was mobilized on Sept. 28 in Portland as Soldiers from
    both 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery (Forest Grove), and Company
    A, 141st Brigade Support Battalion (Clackamas) prepared to depart to
    Qatar.  On Oct. 13, two ceremonies took place at two locations; the
    first in Ashland as the 1-168 Infantry Battalion prepared to deploy to
    Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, and the second in St. Helens as the
    741st Brigade Engineer Battalion prepare to deploy to the Middle East.


    The final ceremony was held in Astoria on Nov. 3, as Airmen from the
    116th Air Control Squadron were mobilized to support Operation Inherent
    Resolve and Operation Resolute Support.

    Speaking at the first of the four mobilization ceremonies on Sept. 28,
    Maj. Gen. Michael E. Stencel, the Adjutant General, Oregon, addressed
    the Soldiers, along with their family and co-workers as the start of
    more than 1,600 members of the of the Oregon National Guard prepared to
    deployed for overseas contingency operations.

    "One of my greatest points of pride as the Adjutant General is seeing
    our Oregon National Guard units train as hard as they do and then apply
    those skills and professionalism in areas around the world to help our
    neighbors and allies."

    The arrays of assignments are as varied as the units heading out the
    door and down range.

    Stencel detailed some of the unique characteristics and distinctions
    with these units as he reminded members of the 2-218th that their
    history dates as far back as 1866.

    "In fact is, the 2-218th is the oldest National Guard artillery unit
    west of the Mississippi River continually serving," he said, as he
    introduced some of the members deploying.

    "An example of what I am talking about is Staff Sergeant Brett Naylor
    and his Wife Staff Sergeant Erin Naylor. They were married in March
    of 2017, but had to put their new life together on hold when just a
    month later Erin deployed with the 1186th Military Police for a year
    in Kabul, Afghanistan."

    The couple are now parents to a daughter born in July of 2019, but for
    this deployment it will be Brent deploying to Qatar for the next year.
    As they are both members of the Oregon Army National Guard, the also
    have the same civilian employer.

    "In addition to their grueling deployment schedule and all the
    responsibilities of being new parents, they also work for the Clackamas
    County Sheriff's department, helping keep their community safe."

    The second ceremony two weeks later at St. Helens High School, on Oct.
    13, Stencel again highlighted members of the unit to illustrate the
    some of the distinct stories of Oregon's Citizen-Soldiers.

    "The members of the Oregon National Guard are remarkable people and the
    741st is no exception, said Stencel, as he highlighted the multiple
    deployments of some members.

    One of those, Sgt. 1st Class Andrew McGillivray has now deployed four
    times while keeping a small construction business thriving, while his
    family continues to grow between the deployments. The McGillivary's are
    also a two member Guard family as his wife, Staff Sgt. Lauren serves
    and together they have a combined 29 years of service.

    "While he is away, he and his wife of four years will welcome a second
    daughter, a little sister to their first daughter."

    When Sgt. Andrew McGillivray was asked about this deployment, he humbly
    replied that, "I'm excited to get to deploy with such a great group of
    individuals, and I can't wait to get back home to meet my newest
    daughter after the deployment."

    With so many Oregon Guardsmen deploying in a narrow window of time, the
    ceremonies around the state emphasize the impact and importance the
    National Guard plays in each community, large and small.

    "These ceremonies offer an opportunity for our communities to show
    support for not only our service members, but also for our families and
    employers," said Col. Eric J. Riley, Commander of the 41st Infantry
    Brigade Combat Team. "We are proud to represent Oregon and the Oregon
    Army National Guard as we mobilize for overseas missions."

    The fourth mobilization ceremony in Astoria on Nov. 3, 2019 saw Airmen
    from the 116th Air Control Squadron (ACS) join their Army comrades
    heading out the door during this large activation period.

    Representing Gov. Kate Brown for the ceremony, Oregon State Treasure
    Tobias Read acknowledge to those filling the Astoria High School
    gymnasium the continued sacrifices that local Guardsmen play in
    supporting overseas assignments.

    "I recognize that to keep a balance between being a citizen and guard
    member can be difficult," he said. "To all of you deploying, your
    willingness to take on these additional duties and responsibilities is
    commendable and admirable."

    The 116th ACS is one of the most deployed units in the Oregon National
    Guard, deploying frequently, with assignments in 2006 in Afghanistan,
    in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraq in 2008, Qatar in 2011,
    to provide Air Defense of the Arabian Gulf and in 2015 like now, to
    Southwest Asia.

    Stencel described many of the Airmen who have made repeat deployments
    over this time period, and how many members of the unit have grown with
    the frequent operations over the many years.

    "The unit is filled with extraordinary people, and countless stories,"
    he said highlighting many members who have seen multiple deployments.

    "This will be Captain Tyler Birman's third deployment, he grew up as an
    Air Force brat, and eventually had the opportunity in 2011 deploy with
    his father Chief Master Sgt. Bob Birman, when he was working as a
    computer maintenance technician. Tyler later applied for a commission
    as an Air Battle Manager, a position he has held now for over eight
    years."

    In concluding the ceremony, Stencel touched on many of the same themes
    he emphasized in all the mobilization ceremonies around the State of
    Oregon.

    "I think we have all heard the phrase, "takes a village," he said.
    "Just know that you're family, friends, employers and so many others
    are supporting you as well."

    "When I look around and see the entire community, I know that we're all
    in this together."

About Author
    [52]Master Sgt. John Hughel
    John Hughel is a multimedia specialist with the Oregon Military
    Department's Public Affairs office. He is also the Editor of the Oregon
    Sentinel Newsletter