Oregon Army National Guardsmen Mobilized For Overseas Assignment

HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. - The Oregon Army National Guard's 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment was honored at a deployment ceremony on August 26, 2026, at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon. Family members, fellow Guard soldiers, and dignitaries attended, including Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read and District 39 House Representative April Dobson.

Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Oregon's Adjutant General, served as Presiding Officer. During the ceremony, seven Oregon Citizen-Soldiers were mobilized to support joint operations in Europe following pre-deployment training at Fort Hood, Texas.

"The 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, known as the MPAD, is a small group, but its ability to reach and influence audiences around the world is undeniable, Gronewold said, highlighting their unique skills. "These service members work directly distributing photo and video content to social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. They truly fulfill the Department of War obligation to keep the American people informed."

The 115th MPAD has a proud tradition of sharing the Oregon National Guard's story wherever its Soldiers serve, from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to multinational exercises in Europe, as well as supporting the Department of Defense State Partnership Program and missions across Oregon. Through photography, video, journalism, and public engagement, their work documents events as they happen and preserves the history of the United States military.

"It's both a privilege and honor for me to stand here today and for just the second time as the battalion commander that I will send citizen-soldiers forward to support federal missions," said Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Rocky Kumlin, 821st Troop Command Battalion Commander. "I appreciate everything you've done to prepare and what you're about to embark upon for us."

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Released Photos:

260826-Z-CH590-1015: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon (right) and Lt. Col. Rocky Kumlin, 821st Troop Command Battalion Commander (center), along with members of the 115thMobile Public Affairs Detachment, stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem during the unit's mobilization ceremony held at Camp Withycombe, Happy Valley, Oregon, on Aug 26, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260826-Z-CH590-1017: The unit Guidon for the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment is presented to those in attendance at the unit's formal mobilization ceremony on Aug. 16, 2026, at Camp Withycombe in Happy Valley, Oregon. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260826-Z-CH590-1024: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General for the Oregon National Guard (left), Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read (center), and District 39 House Representative April Dobson (right), greet soldiers assigned to the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment during the conclusion of their mobilization ceremony held at Camp Withycombe, Happy Valley, Oregon, on Aug. 26, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260826-Z-CH590-1048 and 1112: Members of the Oregon Army National Guard's 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment stand in formation during their mobilization ceremony held at Camp Withycombe, in Happy Valley, Oregon, on Aug 26, 2026. Seven members will first complete pre-deployment training at Fort Hood, Texas, before their assignment in Europe. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260826-Z-CH590-1083: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General for the Oregon National Guard, delivers remarks to Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers and family members assigned to the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment as they are mobilized on Aug. 26, 2026, for their upcoming assignment in Europe. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260826-Z-CH590-1067: Dignitaries and military officials attend the mobilization ceremony for the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment held at Camp Withycombe, in Happy Valley, Oregon, on Aug. 26, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)

260826-Z-CH590-1121: Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Rocky Kumlin, 821st Troop Command Battalion Commander, delivers remarks to Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers and family members assigned to the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment as they are mobilized for an overseas assignment in Europe on Aug. 26, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)