La. Guard holds ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Minden

By Staff Sgt. Robin C. Perry, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

MINDEN, La. – The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Armed Forces Reserve Center, the first LANG facility of its kind in north Louisiana, at Camp Minden, Dec. 4.

“The Armed Forces Reserve Center is great news for Minden and for our entire state,” said Governor Bobby Jindal. “Over the past eight years, our state has faced unthinkable disasters from hurricanes to floods to oil spills – and whatever the emergency has been, the men and women of the Louisiana National Guard have always stepped up and answered the call when our people needed it most.

The AFRC will serve as headquarters for the LANG’s 1083rd Transportation Company, the 39th Military Policy Company and the 122nd Air Support Operations Squadron. It will consolidate and more efficiently house these units already located at Camp Minden, which include more than 315 Soldiers and Airmen.

“We know that in order to respond to disasters and keep our communities safe, the National Guard needs the right tools, training and resources to protect our families,” said Jindal. “That’s why we supported this brand new facility, which will help train Guardsmen with new technology and help them continue to protect our state and our nation.”

Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG, praised the teamwork that went into the planning and building of the new facility. “This building is a testament to the partnerships at the state, local and national levels,” Curtis said.

The center is more than 90,000 square feet under roof. It is designed to comply with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Rating System, using energy management systems with automated HVAC controls (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and efficient on-demand water use systems.