By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard’s 139th Regional Support Group held a change of command ceremony on the parade field at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans on Sept. 20, 2026.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Elizabeth “Noel” Collins assumed command of the 139th RSG from Col. Richard T. Douget.
Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana, presided over the ceremony and passed the unit colors to Collins, symbolizing the transfer of command.
“Col. Douget, congratulations to you and your family on a great command. Outstanding job,” said Friloux. “You deployed the 1084th Transportation Company, the 2228th Military Police Company, and Bravo Company, 136th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, to overseas contingency operations to enhance our national interests. At the state level, the 139th led the state in DRU retention while also improving operational and state readiness. You also oversaw operations following the New Year’s terrorist attack and Task Force NOLA. Job well done.”
“Lt. Col. Collins, welcome to command,” he continued. “Commands bring long hours and rare vacations. You are going to do a great job.”
Friloux also thanked Command Sgt. Maj. Larry J. Johnson Jr., the 139th RSG’s senior enlisted leader, for his leadership and mentorship during the transition between commanders.
Douget thanked Friloux for the opportunity to lead the organization.
“Thank you for the chance to lead the DRU that I grew up in. It was an honor,” Douget said. “Over my tenure, the 139th has been pushed to the limit, and it rose to the challenge each time. I watched each of you execute your missions with expert professionalism. It has been the absolute highlight of my military career to stand before you as your commander. Always remember the 139th is built on a foundation of honor, sacrifice and resilience.”
Douget also thanked Johnson and his family before welcoming Collins as the new commander.
Collins then addressed the formation and accepted the responsibility of leading the 139th RSG.
“Maj. Gen. Friloux, thank you for entrusting me with this command,” said Collins. “I accept this duty as both a privilege and a sacred responsibility. I am absolutely pumped to lead the Soldiers of the 139th. This unit has my heart and soul, and we won’t let you down.” Collins thanked Douget, the Soldiers of the 139th RSG and her family, mentors and friends for their support.
During the ceremony, Friloux awarded Douget the Legion of Merit for his service.
The ceremony concluded with the retirement of the colors and the singing of the Army song. Officially recognized as a major command in 2006, the 139th RSG is a multifunctional organization consisting of transportation, maintenance, communications, medical, military police, military intelligence and military band units. Since 9/11, the organization has completed two overseas deployments.