By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE – The Louisiana National Guard’s Bravo Company, 136th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 415th Military Intelligence Battalion, 139th Regional Support Group, bid farewell to family, friends, and fellow service members during a departure ceremony held at the Gillis W. Long Center Post Theater in Carville, Louisiana, on Apr. 6, 2026.
Approximately 50 Soldiers with the unit will conduct mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying later this spring to the Central Command area of operations in support of a Combined Joint Task Force mission in the Middle East. The unit will provide signal support, enabling communications systems critical to mission success.
Mayor-President Emile “Sidward” Edwards of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish presided over the ceremony and thanked the Soldiers for their service and sacrifice. He was joined on stage by Col. Travis Douget, 139th Regional Support Group commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Johnson Jr., 139th Regional Support Group senior enlisted leader, 2nd Lt. Spencer Savoie, Company B, 136th ESB commander, and Staff Sgt. Wendell McDaniel, Company B, 136th non-commissioned officer in charge.
“I am so proud of all of you,” Edwards said. “I am grateful for your service and sacrifice. From me and my entire staff, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. While you, the true heroes, are deployed, we will be watching over and supporting your families here in Louisiana.”
Col. Douget also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of family support and the Soldiers’ mission.
“To the families, friends and distinguished guests here today, thank you for your support,” Douget said. “You are the bedrock that allows these Soldiers to serve. As signal Soldiers, you are the guardians of the network — the architects of the digital backbone that supports every military operation.”
Second Lt. Spencer Savoie expressed confidence in the unit’s readiness.
“To the families here today, I assure you these Soldiers are well trained and ready,” Savoie said. “They have consistently exceeded expectations and have come together as a cohesive team, which will be vital in the months ahead.”
The ceremony concluded with Staff Sgt. Wendell McDaniel leading the Soldiers in the recitation of the Soldier’s Creed, followed by the Army Song.
The Soldiers will deploy to Kuwait after leaving Fort Bliss later this spring.
