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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 3, 2005 Spc. Chad Blocker with the Arkansas National Guard chats with Jermaine Williams, 11, after the military arrived at the New Orleans Convention Center in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Troops from the Rogue Valley are scheduled to head to the scene today. AP Guard joins relief effort By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune National Guard troops from Southern Oregon will be deployed to New Orleans early next week to help restore order and relieve the suffering of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. About 500 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion of the 186th Infantry, headquartered in Ashland, received the orders Friday to report to the Medford Armory for mobilization. They will be among up to 2,000 Oregon National Guard troops who will go to New Orleans, said Maj. Chet Cary, a battalion spokesman. It was unknown Friday what day members would depart for New Orleans and what their specific duties would be. "We’re letting people know to get prepared to move," said Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Striley of the 1/186th. Advertisement The battalion is scheduled to stay in the ruined city for 15 to 60 days. "Strictly, we are on a humanitarian mission," Striley said. "Deterring looting will be part of the operation, but not the main thrust. We won’t know what we’re doing until we get there." Jobs could include distributing food and supplies and piling sandbags to stop the flow of water through New Orleans’ breached levees. "We hope more people will be relieved from the stresses they’re having," Striley said. "The more bodies there are to distribute supplies and help people, the easier it’ll be." Made up of members from Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Douglas counties, the battalion faces anarchy and misery in New Orleans. Over the past few days, there have been reports of storm victims shooting at police, rescuers and medical evacuation helicopters. Looting, fistfights and fires have broken out, and dead bodies continue to float in the floodwaters. "I’ve been in that area before," Striley said. "The majority of (the residents) are down to earth. I ache for the pain they’re going through, so I feel good about the chance to go to help out some." Members of the 1/186th have been deployed in the past to Sinai, Egypt, and Iraq, and some are expected to serve in Afghanistan next May. "I think it’s a good thing to go and help somebody within our own country," said Sgt. Wayne Underhill of the 1/186th. "It’s unfortunate for those who live there. It’s going to take a long time for them to rebuild. It makes me glad for what I’ve got here." Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail Guard joins relief effort ">[email protected] . The Associated Press contributed to this article. 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 Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews 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 Investments & Loans Advertisement s