PENDLETON, Ore. — An Oregon National Guard unit is preparing to deploy to Kuwait.
About 60 soldiers will transport people and equipment throughout the region using CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
At a mobilization ceremony Saturday in Pendleton, Sgt. August Radke said it will be interesting to see another part of the world but difficult to part with his family.
“Leaving family at home with my two children and my wife, it’s always tough that way. It’s not something I’m looking forward to,” Radke told The East Oregonian.
Radke said the Kuwait deployment will be his second. He also went to Afghanistan about five years ago. This time, however, he will have one relative nearby. His brother, Jacob Radke, also is deploying.
Jacob Radke said he was deployed to Iraq in 2004-05 as a ground medic unit with the Washington National Guard before joining the Oregon Guard with the intention of becoming a pilot.
“It’s going to be an interesting experience,” he said of the new deployment. “I haven’t been to Iraq (which borders Kuwait) for 10 years, and this time it will be in the air as opposed to on the ground. It will be interesting to see what’s changed in 10 years, a different perspective from the air.”
The soldiers are from the 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, which recently provided helicopters to support firefighting efforts over the summer.
In Kuwait, Oregon’s unit will join soldiers from Washington and California.
Spc. Brandon Bonney said he has enjoyed being in the Guard since 2011 but has never been deployed.
“I’m just ready to get it started,” he said. “It’s the first deployment, so it’s going to be a new experience.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
