By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE – The Louisiana National Guard’s 199th Brigade Support Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, held an official change of command ceremony at the 199th BSB Armory in Alexandria, La., on August 23, 2025. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Darby A. Boudreaux, incoming commander, assumed command from Lt. Col. Anthony L. Garrison, outgoing commander.
Brig. Gen. Jason P. Mahfouz, the assistant adjutant general – Army of the LANG, presided over the ceremony, passed the unit colors to the incoming commander and spoke at the event.
“Lt. Col. Garrison, thank you for taking care of the battalion, for treating it just like your family and bringing it to the next level,” said Mahfouz. “Thank you for taking care of the Soldiers and their families. You carried the tradition of quiet servant leadership and are the embodiment of a true officer and gentleman.”
In addition to commending Garrison, Mahfouz also welcomed Boudreaux.
“Lt. Col. Boudreaux, this is not so much of a welcome as it is a welcome back,” he continued. “Bring all the knowledge you have obtained while serving with other units and in other capacities to this battalion and I have no doubt it will continue to grow stronger.”
Garrison, who has led the unit since May 2023, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his steadfast leadership, focus on readiness and commitment to his Soldiers throughout his command. Under his command, the battalion maintained high operational standards, participated in state emergency response operations and supported overseas training and deployment missions.
“It was my privilege and honor to serve as the commander of the 199th BSB during these last two years,” said Garrison. “I am incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve together. We created a climate that promotes mutual trust, competence, professionalism and a commitment to excellence.”
Boudreaux, who now assumes command, brings a wealth of experience and a vision of continued excellence to the battalion. As he took command, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to building upon the legacy of the battalion.
“I am truly honored to serve as the commander of this battalion and have the opportunity to continue to build on its legacy,” said Boudreaux. “To all of the leadership that I have served with, thank you for taking the time to train me. Your attention to detail and technical knowledge will serve me well in command.”
The 199th BSB, headquartered in Alexandria, serves as the primary sustainment element for the 256th IBCT. The battalion provides critical logistical support, including supply distribution, transportation operations, field maintenance and medical services, ensuring the brigade maintains operational readiness across all mission sets. The unit has responded to numerous all hazards events in Louisiana, to include Hurricane Ida in which the battalion established six point of distribution sites across New Orleans distributing over 400,000 meals, 800,000 liters of bottled water and 600,000 pounds of ice.
