By Maj. Darren T. Herring Jr., Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard held its Joint Staff Conference at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sept. 19, 2026.
The conference brought together joint staff directorates for briefings and facilitated discussions focused on the director of the joint staff’s guidance, strategic priorities, operational updates, readiness requirements and resource needs. The discussions were designed to synchronize efforts across the staff, strengthen communication and improve the LANG’s ability to execute state and federal missions.
Leaders emphasized the importance of values-based communication, early coordination and shared accountability to reduce friction, eliminate duplicated efforts and provide senior leaders with clear, synchronized recommendations.
“Dialogue is the foundation of everything we do,” said Brig. Gen. Augusto Villalaz, director of the Joint Staff. “It is imperative that we continue building relationships and maintaining open dialogue among directorates to ensure we are accomplishing the priorities of the adjutant general and chief of staff.”
The conference also reinforced the joint staff’s process for synchronizing operational requirements through the J3/5/7 (Operations, Strategy, and Plans Directorates). The process ensures taskings, training requirements and requests for support are validated, prioritized and aligned with the adjutant general’s priorities and available resources before execution.
Additional discussions focused on combat readiness, mobilization support, modernization and leader development. Staff members identified requirements, discussed resource challenges and coordinated efforts to maintain readiness across the LANG.
The conference provided leaders of the joint staff an opportunity to strengthen relationships, synchronize efforts and maintain a shared understanding of priorities in support of the LANG’s state and federal missions.