October 4, 2019 3:45 a.m.
Approximately 130 members of the National Guard based in Roseburg are getting ready to head on a deployment to Africa next week.
Citizen-soldiers from Charlie Company, 1-186 Infantry will mobilize to support U.S. operations in the Horn of Africa, according to information from the Oregon Military Department.
Director of Public Affairs Stephen Bomar said it will be a 400-day total mobilization, with approximately 9 months of operations within the region in Africa. He said some members of this Oregon group have previously mobilized for overseas missions and for wildland firefighting in Oregon. However, Bomar said that for many, this will be their first deployment.
Bomar said a mobilization ceremony will take place in Ashland but a time for that has not yet been announced.
A send-off event to thank Charlie Company members for their service will be held Friday night at Salud Brewery Bar and Food Truck in downtown Roseburg. The “Salud to the Troops” will include food and brews from Salud, plus brews from North Forty Beer Company, Old 99 Brewing Company, Backside Brewing Company, and Draper Brewing. Music will be provided by Neil Gregory Johnson and Virgil Robinson.
The event will begin at 6:00 p.m.