Army
Oregon National Guard soldiers return home from a year deployed to Middle East
Stars and Stripes
August 3, 2025
Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. Family and friends gathered with welcome home signs to greet their soldiers after a year-long deployment to the Middle East. (Emily Simonson/Oregon National Guard)
Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard received a warm welcome Saturday in Happy Valley after a yearlong deployment to Iraq and Syria.
About 250 members of the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment had deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve — the name for U.S. military’s intervention against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. While deployed they conducted rocket, artillery, mortar and drone defense operations.
“It’s an honor to welcome this group back,” Command Sgt. Maj. Adrian Gonzales, the command sergeant major for the 2-218th Field Artillery rear detachment, said in a service news release. “They did an outstanding job out there.”
Friends and family, some holding signs welcoming their soldier home, were on hand at the Camp Withycombe.
Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. (Michael Flordelis/Oregon National Guard)
Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. (Michael Flordelis/Oregon National Guard)
Approximately 230 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment return to Oregon on Aug. 2, 2025, at Camp Withycombe, Ore. (Michael Flordelis/Oregon National Guard)
The 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment was organized Feb. 3, 1866, as the Portland Light Artillery. Federal service action has included tours in France during World War I, the Europe and the Pacific theaters in World War II, and numerous missions in the post-9/11 era in the Middle East.