A nearly yearlong deployment to Afghanistan for approximately 190 soldiers with a Bend-based Oregon Army National Guard unit officially came to an end Saturday, with a demobilization ceremony at Vince Genna Stadium.

The 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment left Oregon last June, one of three Oregon Army National Guard units selected and deployed to provide security in Afghanistan during the drawdown of American and coalition troops after nearly 14 years of war, according to the Oregon Military Department.

The squadron spent nearly half of its deployment in western Afghanistan at Shindand Air Base, the second-largest airfield used by coalition forces. Even with the war winding down, members of the squadron routinely encountered hostilities on patrols around the base. Squadron soldiers were sent on a 15-hour mission away from the base to locate a radio repeater used by Taliban forces, repeatedly trading fire with Taliban in the area.

More than 90 percent of the soldiers in the unit earned a Combat Action Badge, with 26 soldiers receiving Bronze Star Medals and three awarded the Purple Heart.

In December, the squadron was the last U.S. military unit to leave Shindand Air Base, which as part of the drawdown was handed over to the Afghanistan National Army, the military department said.

Following the handover, the soldiers were reassigned to defend the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Forces in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, provide security at Kabul International Airport, and assist with base closings, base security and equipment redistribution before returning home.

Several local elected officials attended Saturday’s ceremony, including all three members of the Deschutes County Commission, Redmond Mayor George Endicott, state Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River. Representatives from the offices of Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, sent statements that were read at the ceremony.

Lt. Col. Daniel Miner, commander of the unit, presented Knopp with an American flag given to him by former Gov. John Kitzhaber prior to their deployment. Knopp read a letter from Gov. Kate Brown welcoming the unit home, and will be delivering the flag to Brown as part of the demobilization process.

Walden recalled being at a demobilization ceremony for the same squadron five years ago, when soldiers returned from deployment to Iraq. Not since World War II has the Oregon Army National Guard been asked to do so much, Walden said, and the sacrifices of today’s soldiers and their families are every bit as historic and important as the sacrifices of those who came before them.

As others who spoke Saturday, Walden emphasized the importance of reintegrating into civilian society now that they’ve returned home, and said soldiers who make that transition can help make Oregon a better place.

“Your military experience, training, and work ethic makes for a better, stronger community,” Walden said.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387,

shammers@bendbulletin.com