Oregon National Guard Mobilizes Soldiers for Critical Middle East Support
Happy Valley, Oregon – Eight dedicated members of the 150th Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Support Detachment were honored during a mobilization ceremony at Camp Whitycombe on April 15. These Citizen-Soldiers are preparing for a vital deployment to the Middle East, where they will support U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operations.
The 150th TMDE is recognized as a crucial sustainment asset for the Army National Guard. Their mission involves maintaining the accuracy of diagnostic equipment, ensuring compliance with stringent Army calibration standards, and bolstering unit readiness across all missions. These specialized units primarily fall under the Ordnance Corps, underscoring their essential role in support and maintenance operations.
Following a period of heavy deployment rotations for the Oregon Army National Guard in 2024-2025, which saw hundreds of soldiers mobilized from regions including the Middle East, Kosovo, and the Horn of Africa, the 150th TMDE marks the first group of Citizen-Soldiers to mobilize in 2026. This small yet impactful team, comprising less than a dozen members, will undertake a highly specialized role.
“Eight soldiers, that’s the size of this formation today – eight,” stated Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General for the Oregon National Guard. “I want everyone in the room to understand something. That number doesn’t capture the mission’s importance or the impact this unit will have downrange. Some of the most critical work in any military operation is accomplished by a small team.”
These U.S. Army soldiers are experts in calibrating and repairing the diagnostic testing equipment that is indispensable to all other units. Their support spans critical areas such as aviation, communications, medical, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense, as well as various weapons systems. Their meticulous work guarantees that instruments measure accurately, providing reliable readings from diagnostic tools. This precision is paramount in ensuring the safety and dependability of the equipment soldiers rely on with their lives.
“To the members of the 150th TMDE, you carry Oregon with you and carry over 25 years of history from the Balkans, to Iraq, to Poland and Romania, and now the Middle East,” Gronewold added. “That’s a legacy worth honoring, and you are adding to it today.”
The unit’s distinguished origins trace back to 1999, when it was established as Detachment 4, 1241st Ordnance Team, with the mission of providing precision calibration support for Army systems. Today, the 150th TMDE Support Detachment continues to be a critical contributor to Army readiness, supporting both domestic and international missions with unwavering dedication.
“And now in 2026, the 150th deploys once again. A new mission for the same standards of excellence,” Gronewold emphasized. “When a helicopter maintenance crew uses a torque wrench, they need reliable readings. When a medic uses a diagnostic instrument, lives depend on that instrument being correct. The 150th is the unit that makes sure those standards are met.”
The profound sense of high standards and pride in their specialized abilities was also highlighted by Lt. Col. Rocky Kumlin, Commander of the 821st Troop Command Battalion, during his address to the unit and their families.
“It’s a privilege as I stand here today, and as the first time as the battalion commander to send off citizen-soldiers,” he remarked, noting that the soldiers will undergo additional training before heading overseas. “The preparation to support Operation Inherent Resolve began long before today, and I appreciate everything you’ve done and what you’re about to embark upon for our nation and state.”
In his heartfelt remarks, Kumlin extended gratitude to the family members who will “cover down on the home front” while the soldiers are deployed on this critical mission, a mission for which all eight members volunteered.
“As you go forward, hold your head high, carry your Guidon with purpose. It’s a history with a proud legacy, and know that we will be counting the days until you return home,” Kumlin concluded.
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