Alpha Company, 2-162

Alpha Company, 2-162 Infantry, based in Eugene, Oregon, is one of the most distinguished units in the Oregon National Guard. In 2000, the company, then known as Charlie Co., deployed to Kuwait for a tour of duty in the Middle East. In 2004-5, the men served in northeast Baghdad on the edge of Sadr City during both Shia Uprisings. Throughout its year in country, the men participated in intense combat operations throughout northern and eastern Baghdad. In August, 2004, during the Second Shia Uprising, elements of Alpha Company, led by Lt. Rogers, and Charlie Company, led by Sergeant First Class Ezelle, crossed Budweiser Bridge while under heavy small arms, RPG and grenade fire to save a badly mailed Iraqi Special Forces unit trapped on the west bank of the Tigris river under the bridge.

During the course of its twelve months in Iraq, the "Ragin' Cajuns" of Charlie Company played a key role in nearly every battalion operation. From stability and support, to meet & greets, raids, movement to contact and reacting to snipers and ambushes, Charlie Company's soldiers met every challenge with tremendous professionalism and devotion to duty.

Only six months removed from Baghdad, the Ragin Cajuns returned to action when the 2-162 Infantry deployed to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The men patrolled the city, searched for human remains and survivors, and still somehow managed to find time to restore and repair the New Orleans Baptist Seminary's grounds. Day after day, the men cleared downed trees and bulldozed debris around the campus, then strapped on their gear and hiked off into the city on grueling foot patrols.

Upon returning to Oregon, the battalion reorganized. Charlie Company became Alpha Company, and a new Charlie Company was activated at Camp Withycombe up in the Portland area. Currently command by Captain Cory Jones, a veteran of the 2004-05 Iraq deployment, Alpha Company includes some of the battalion's best veteran NCO's.