June 6, 2021 2:45 p.m. 

Oregon Army National Guard Colonel Eric Riley was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on Saturday during a ceremony at Heritage Park in Salem.

The Roseburg native is scheduled to become the Oregon National Guard’s Joint Deputy Operations Commander after completion of his assignment as commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. A release from the Oregon Military Department said Riley led the unit during a mobilization to Kosovo in 2020 along with subordinate battalions mobilizing across the world. That became the second largest call up of Oregon troops, since World War II.

The release said in his new role, Brigadier General Riley will be assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General, Oregon Army National Guard, and will be responsible for assisting in formulating, developing and coordinating programs, policies and plans affecting the Oregon Army National Guard.

Colonel Riley serves as the Executive Director of the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers where he leads a staff of six at the non-profit organization. They are responsible for restoring salmon habitat and monitoring water quality throughout the Umpqua Basin.