| Press Release |
 |
|
 |
| October 13, 2007 |
|
Baker City Oregon Army National Guard Soldier deploys to Iraq
Story by Senior Airman Trish Harris, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Fourteen Oregon Army National Guard soldiers from the Alpha Company 641st Aviation Battalion out of Portland, Ore. mobilized today for a deployment to Balad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Among them is Army Sergeant Jeremiah Williams, of Baker City, Ore. Williams is a C-23 Sherpa flight engineer and this will be his second time deploying to Iraq.
"I deployed the first time in 2004," Williams said, "so while I know what expect and I am prepared, this time around is tougher than the first, because now I have a wife and daughter that I am leaving behind."
Williams and his wife Samantha have been married for two years, and their daughter, Emma, was born in February of 2006.
"The military life has been tough for our family," said Samantha, "Jeremiah travels a lot, but we are strong and we will get through it."
The deploying soldiers attended a ceremony today at Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland Oregon. Williams' wife, daughter, and other family members attended the ceremony to see him off. The soldiers leave today for Fort Benning, Georgia, where they will spend a week getting gear issued and getting some training. They will then continue on to Balad, Iraq where they will spend six months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo:
070912-F-6095H-023, Army Sergeant Jeremiah Williams holds his daughter, Emma, following a ceremony at Portland Air National Base, Portland Ore. on October 13, 2007. Williams and 14 other soldiers from the Alpha Company 641st Aviation Battalion out of Portland, Ore. mobilized today for a six-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trish Harris, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs.)
Contact:
Oregon JFHQ State Public Affairs Officer
Major Micheal Braibish
503-932-5805
|
|
|
|
