Oregon National Guard Unit Mobilizes in Ashland for Egypt Mission

Ashland, Oregon- The Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment was formally mobilized on October 20, 2024, during a ceremony at Raider Stadium on the campus of Southern Oregon University. Nearly 205 Citizen-Soldiers from the unit will join a Multinational Force and Observers Mission in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

The battalion’s mission will be to support the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace. The unit will work to prevent any violations of the treaty’s terms, reinforcing international efforts to maintain stability in the region.

“Citizen-Soldiers from Southern Oregon have a rich tradition of stepping up when called upon,” said Col. Paul Dyer, commander (rear) of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He also expressed gratitude to the communities from Roseburg to Ashland for their support, adding that the unit continues to build on its legacy.

The 1-186th Infantry Regiment has previously taken part in both domestic and international missions. Their prior assignments include security operations for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., COVID-19 response efforts in Oregon, and deployments to the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq as part of Overseas Contingency Operations.

The unit’s deployment underscores the ongoing role of National Guard soldiers in supporting U.S. and international security efforts.