225th Engineer Brigade
A state that sees frequent natural and manmade disasters, Louisiana’s engineers are a vital component of its Guard forces. The 225th began as an engineer company in the 1950s, upgraded to battalion by the 1960s, and became a group by the mid part of that decade. Increasing in importance to both overseas and domestic missions of the LANG, the 225th was upgraded to a brigade in 2006. The LANG engineers have had some element overseas in the Global War on Terror since late 2002 while concurrently dealing with one of the busiest periods of state activation in Louisiana history. In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita put the engineers to the ultimate test, followed in quick succession by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, the Gulf Oil Spill in 2010, river flooding in 2011, and Hurricane Gustav in 2012.
The 205th Engineer Battalion was reorganized from the 105th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, based out of Bogalusa with companies on the “Northshore” of Lake Pontchartrain. The 105th saw action in North Africa, Italy, and in Germany during World War II. The Bogalusa and Franklinton units of the 205th have lineage connecting back to the old 108th Cavalry companies stationed there. The 2225th Bridge Company, in Marrero, is a relatively new but significant unit for the LANG.
The 527th Engineer Battalion is based out of Northwestern Louisiana. One of its important historical achievements involves its role in 1991’s Operation Desert Storm. The unit opened the berm barriers between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, allowing coalition forces to enter hostile territory and crush Iraqi forces. Closing the berms afterward, it was also the last unit out in that Area of Operations.
The 528th Engineer Brigade was formed from several companies in Northeastern Louisiana. Monroe area units have history dating back to the Civil War. The 528th has been involved in every major state disaster response since its formation and has had several overseas deployments connected to the Global War on Terror.