Salem-News.com National Guard articles Page 7

Oregon Guard Helicopter Supports Rescue in Lane County

The Air Guard helicopter launching to aid in the rescue is based in Salem, Oregon.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Army National Guard is preparing to launch a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter in support of a rescue in Lane County.

A hiker with a possible dislocated knee who may be going into shock could require evacuation by hoist - an operation in which a rescuer is lowered from the helicopter by cable to stabilize a patient for extraction.

Rescue crews say the hiker is in the Waldo Lake area of Lane County. The Lane County Sheriff's office is the lead agency for the rescue.

Injured Climbers Airlifted by Salem Helicopter Crew

(MOUNT HOOD) - Several climbers involved in a severe fall on Mount Hood have been placed aboard an Oregon National Guard helicopter out of Salem`s 1042nd Medical Company and are receiving medical treatment.

It is believed the two seriously injured patients fell a total of 500' down the mountain. One was reported to have a serious head injury.

The climbing accident happened on the top of Crater Rock. Wasco County dispatch received the 911 call at approximately 9:30 AM.

It is reported from the scene that at least three people were involved in this Mount Hood climbing accident: `One climbing party of three fell, colliding with an additional four man climbing team, who in turn lost control and crashed into the remaining party who was at the end of this domino chain of events.`

Exclusive- Oregon National Guard Fighter Pilot Promoted to General

Salem-News.com's Tim King interviewed the newly promoted General who is the first African-American to earn the rank in the Oregon National Guard, and filed this report.

(SALEM) - An Oregon National Guard fighter pilot was promoted to brigadier general at the guard headquarters in Salem Wednesday.

The promotion was historic, because Garry Dean is the first African American to ever attain the rank of General in the Oregon National Guard.

Schwarzenegger to Order Troops to Border

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger agreed Thursday to send the California National Guard to the Mexican border, ending a 17-day standoff with the Bush administration.

The two sides had been at odds over whether California Guardsmen would join the effort to bolster the Border Patrol and who would pay for it.

They reached an agreement under which California will contribute about 1,000 Guardsmen for border duty and the federal government will pick up the full cost, Schwarzenegger said.

"It is not my preference to send the National Guard, but there's an important need to protect the border," he said.

Guard Launches Blackhawk in Search for Missing Washington Man

(SALEM) - A UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem was launched in support of a search operation in Washington at approximately 2:00 PM Wednesday.

They crew flew to Skamania County, Washington to assist in the search for a 50-year old male who has been missing since May 26th. The search area is in the vicinity of Trout Lake.

The Oregon Army National Guard responded to a request from the Washington Emergency Operations Center.

The Blackhawk used in the operation was piloted by Major William Cueltas and Capt. Jerry Brennan.

Oregon National Guard Pilot Promoted to Brigadier General

Garry Dean is the first African American to attain the rank of brigadier general in the Oregon Air National Guard.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Air National Guard's Colonel Garry Dean will pin on the rank of brigadier general in a ceremony May 31st at 10:00 AM at the Oregon National Guard Headquarters.

Garry Dean is the first African American member of the Oregon Air National Guard to attain the rank of brigadier general.

Bush Weighs Deploying Guard to U.S. Border

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - President Bush, trying to build momentum for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, is considering plans to shore up the Mexican border with National Guard troops paid for by the federal government, according to senior administration officials.

One defense official said military leaders believe the number of troops required could range from 3,500 to 10,000, depending on the final plan. Another administration official cautioned that the 10,000 figure was too high.

The officials insisted on anonymity since no decision has been announced.

The president was expected to reveal his plans in an address Monday at 8:00 PM EDT. It will be the first time he has used the Oval Office for a domestic policy speech ” a gesture intended to underscore the importance he places on the divisive immigration issue.

The key questions Friday included how many National Guard troops might be deployed, for how long and at what cost to taxpayers ”

Keizer Fire CERT Team to Train With Oregon Army National Guard

Don`t be alarmed if you see or hear a low-flying Army Blackhawk helicopter near Claggett Creek Park.

(Keizer) - On Thursday, students in the Keizer Fire District's Community Emergency Response Team training program, will conduct a helicopter patient evacuation drill.

The drill will be conducted with the assistance of the 1042nd Unit of the Army National Guard.

Keizer Fire District spokesman Jim Trett says the exercise is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, when a Blackhawk helicopter will land at the north end of Claggett Creek Park.

Area residents should be aware of excessive noise in the area when the helicopter lands and takes off around 8:30 PM.

Soldiers of Today and Yesterday Aided and Remembered

Sean King reports for Salem-News.com and NorthWest Teen News (NWTN), seen Thursday nights on Salem's channel 52 (UHF)

(SALEM) - Veterans, Oregon National Guard soldiers and Salem-area businesses joined forces Wednesday to celebrate and acknowledge the service of veterans who live at the Madrona Hills Estates, and to send care packages to 50 Oregon soldiers serving today in Iraq.
Don Adams with the Veterans History Project says helping those who serve today is extremely important, but his role at the Madrona Hills affair was to solicit interviews from veterans who are up in years, for the permanent records in Washington D.C. at the Library of Congress.

Guard Helicopter Crew From Salem Rescue Missing Man

(SALEM) - An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter crew found a man missing in the Banks area since Thursday and transported him to a hospital Friday morning for medical care.

The Guard launched a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to aid the Washington County Sheriff's office in the search for the man who was believed to have suffered a stroke.