Medford, OR. — Nearly 200 Oregon Army National Guard soldiers assigned to the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment were formally welcomed home January 11 during a demobilization ceremony at South Medford High School.
The ceremony, presided over by Alan Gronewold, Oregon’s adjutant general, honored the unit’s nine-month deployment to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in support of the Multinational Force and Observers mission.
“Welcome home,” Gronewold told the soldiers and their families. “Those two words carry the weight of nearly a year of service, sacrifice, and separation.”
During the deployment, the 205-soldier battalion—designated USBATT 74—served alongside military forces from 14 other nations, supervising the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace. Gronewold emphasized the unit’s role in maintaining stability in a volatile region.
“In a region marked by volatility and tension, you stood watch. You maintained peace. You prevented violations of that historic treaty,” he said.
Battalion commander Joshua Rapp said the unit was responsible for securing two camps in the Sinai while operating remote observation sites monitoring key routes and airfields between Egypt and Israel.
The deployment occurred amid heightened regional tensions, including a three-month lockdown period after MFO bases were identified as potential targets. Rapp described periods when soldiers remained in full combat gear for extended stretches while confined to hardened facilities.
Despite the challenges, Rapp highlighted the mission’s extensive multinational cooperation, noting daily coordination with forces from Fiji, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Uruguay, and Japan. Soldiers also participated in combined training exercises, leadership courses, and joint activities that strengthened international partnerships.
Command Sgt. Maj. Evan Garner said the deployment strengthened the battalion professionally and personally, providing opportunities for cross-training and leadership development across multiple nations.
“The battalion did come back stronger,” Garner said, adding that soldiers also gained experience teaching and learning from international partners.
The deployment included unique morale opportunities, with some service members earning scuba certifications and participating in organized tours to Egyptian landmarks such as the pyramids, Luxor, and Mount Sinai.
The battalion was mobilized October 20, 2024, during a ceremony in Ashland and returned to Oregon October 3, 2025. About 150 soldiers returned to Medford, while approximately 50 arrived in Portland. In addition to Southern Oregon Guard members, the deployment included personnel from the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and other Guard units from multiple states.
Gronewold concluded the ceremony by recognizing the families who supported the soldiers during the deployment, calling their resilience essential to the mission’s success.
About the Author
