Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s Air National Guard is saying goodbye to some of its members who are bound for the wars overseas, even as others are unpacking their bags. April Baer reports.

Page says fate landed the airmen in summer, just as rocket attacks were increasing.

Frank Page: “ What you got after the announcement of the Americans pulling out is a lot more insurgents trying to hit that base.”

The squadron made it back without any injuries.

Just as the airmen are getting settled in, members of another 142nd, the Air Guard’s Civil Engineers, are mobilizing.

Most are bound for Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Their work is keeping the U.S. military installations running, from maintaining electricity and water, to performing carpentry and other trades.

They expect to be overseas for six months.