Forest Grove-based soldiers nearing end of Iraq, Syria deployment as U.S. weighs Israel-Iran war involvement

As the U.S. weighs involvement in the Israel-Iran war, about 230 soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, based in Forest Grove, are deployed at U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria.

Their deployment is nearly over, with soldiers expected to return to the U.S. for demobilization at Fort Bliss in Texas in mid-July.

"It's been a long journey so far, and our soldiers have been doing an incredible and important job," said Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Robledo in a message to News in the Grove.

U.S. bases in the Middle East could come under attack if the U.S. joins Israel's war against Iran. Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah said it would resume attacks on U.S. troops if the U.S. became involved, Reuters reported.

Stationed at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, Robledo commands the 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment.

(Disclosure: This journalist's brother-in-law is currently deployed to Iraq in the 2-218th)

Deployed to support Operation Inherent Resolve, a multinational mission to combat ISIS, the regiment was joined by around 160 troops from California and South Carolina, he added.

Their mission, a press release from last year notes, is to conduct rocket, artillery, mortar and drone defense operations in the Middle East.

During an August 9, 2024 mobilization ceremony at Pacific University in Forest Grove, he explained his battalion's mission more succinctly.

“There are a lot of things in the air that are threats. Our job will be to take out those threats,” he said.

The Forest Grove Police Department currently has one member deployed in the National Guard, FGPD spokesperson Andrew Colasurdo said in an email to News in the Grove.

"The department also has several other officers who are either active or former members of various military branches," he added. "The department is grateful for the service and sacrifice of all military members."

In a message to News in the Grove, Robledo said the battalion was mobilized as Task Force Defender, and provides Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) to areas in Iraq and Syria.

"We primarily provide force protection through [counter rocket artillery] and mortar operations and secondary [counter-drone] operations," he said.

When their mission is done, troops will head for Fort Bliss in about four weeks.

There, they will undergo a typically seven-to-14-day process that includes medical processing, where they will track and monitor returning soldiers for any health concerns that may have arisen during their deployment, said Major Saul Ramirez in a conversation with News in the Grove held inside the Forest Grove Armory on Taylor Way.

Other issues—financial, administrative records, awards, issued equipment and more—are also typically handled during this period.

Leaving Fort Bliss, soldiers typically use their accrued leave. The nature of their mission in the Middle East means they've typically not used it during their 12-month deployment. Following that, National Guard soldiers have a 90 day period when they're not expected to return to drills.

In December, the soldiers will return to regular drills. Ramirez said a change of command ceremony is expected to take place then.