By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE, La. – More than 60 Louisiana National Guard Soldiers departed Louisiana this weekend for Washington, D.C., where they will support the District of Columbia National Guard, Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement agencies as part of Joint Task Force–District of Columbia and the Make DC Safe and Beautiful mission.
Task Force Pelican, led by Lt. Col. Laura Reiber and Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Mackechney, consists of LANG Soldiers from the 139th Regional Support Group, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 225th Engineer Brigade and 61st Troop Command. The Soldiers will augment the DCNG in a joint effort to reduce crime, restore law and order and protect federal buildings, national monuments and other federal properties. The mission is part of a broader National Guard support operation involving multiple states in support of the District of Columbia.
Prior to departure, Soldiers received remarks and mission guidance from Brig. Gen. Augusto Villalaz, Louisiana National Guard director of the joint staff; Command Sgt. Maj. Sud A. Robertson, Louisiana National Guard senior enlisted advisor – Army; along with 139th RSG leadership and senior noncommissioned officers supporting the mobilization effort.
The Louisiana National Guard and its citizen-Soldiers remain trained, ready and prepared to support communities across the country whenever and wherever they are needed in service to the United States and the State of Louisiana.