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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 30, 2005 Guard troops coming home today By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune About 270 Army National Guard troops will return to Southern Oregon today, about four days sooner than expected. Members of the 1st Battalion of the 186th Infantry of the Oregon National Guard arrived in Portland Thursday in chartered planes from Alexandria, La. "The process was expedited," said Sgt. First Class Cameron Hanson. "We are just as happy as clams to be home." The battalion was deployed to Louisiana more than three weeks ago to respond to Hurricane Katrina. After landing in Portland, soldiers went to the Jackson Armory to be debriefed and undergo medical evaluations. Advertisement They will spend the night in hotels before departing on chartered buses to their respective armories. The Alabama National Guard 31st Chemical Brigade will replace the Oregon troops in Louisiana, said Kay Fristad, Oregon National Guard spokeswoman. In all, about 1,188 troops are in the process of returning to Oregon, Fristad said. They are not expected to return to the South, she said. About 330 members from the Ashland-based battalion started their mission Sept. 6 in New Orleans to provide security, rescue survivors and locate the bodies of those who perished in Hurricane Katrina. The troops moved to Baton Rouge Sept. 21 as Hurricane Rita threatened the Gulf Coast. After the storm hit, the battalion proceeded to battered Lake Charles to provide security and keep residents from returning to their houses before infrastructure and utilities were back in place. About 60 soldiers have been allowed to return to Southern Oregon for college classes and urgent work or personal matters. "It’s been great to come back earlier," said Sgt. Allan Fruitt of Klamath Falls, shortly after stepping off the plane in Portland. "It was a nice relief. I thought the process was going to take a lot longer." Fruitt said he is looking forward to seeing his family and enjoying a home-cooked meal. Volunteers sought for state reserve The Oregon National Guard Reserve seeks volunteers to augment the Oregon National Guard’s response to man-made or natural disasters in Southern Oregon. Oregon volunteer soldiers are trained for state-only missions, and cannot be deployed outside the state of Oregon. Although previous military service is not required, an interest in joining and training in a military organization is most important. Prior service members may enlist at their previous rank. Call 773-8227 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.orsdf.org on the Web. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s