The 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Louisiana National Guard is shipping out this week for a nearly year-long deployment to the Middle East. About 2,000 LNG soldiers are involved in the mission.
Col. Scott Desormeaux said because of the pandemic the departure ceremonies will be closed to soldiers only. Friends and family are encouraged to either watch online or line the streets and wave at the busses as they leave.
The events will be staggered across the next eight days depending on when a regiment is scheduled to fly out.
Desormeaux said the mission will be the continued fight against ISIS as well as the transfer of obligations for the fight against ISIS in Iraq.
“We are really just in a complete support role and then we also provide response forces throughout the CENTCOM area in case anything were to occur,” said Desormeaux.
The roughly 4,000 solider Brigade has been active in Louisiana’s COVID response, but Desormeaux says their deployment has been planned for a while will not impact the state pandemic capabilities.
“My state headquarters has had a very active stance on allowing us to transition my soldiers out of that so they could get some time home with family before it was time to deploy,” said Desormeaux.
It’s the 256th’s third overseas deployment since 9/11
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