Historic La. installation redesignated as Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville
By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE, La. – Camp Beauregard was officially redesignated as Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville during a redesignation ceremony at the Dabadie Gym in Pineville, La., Oct. 18, 2023.
Government officials, Louisiana National Guard leadership, LANG Soldiers and Airmen, distinguished guests and members of the community attended the ceremony for the historical name change of LANG’s premier training installation.
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of this installation,” said Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell, the adjutant general of the LANG.
The installation’s history can be traced back to 1852 when Legislature authorized the purchase of 438 acres to build an institution that became Louisiana State University. In 1905, then Camp Stafford became a permanent camp for the LANG and a part of the US Army Southeastern Military District. In 1917, Camp Stafford was established as Camp Beauregard, one of 18 National Guard Camps organized in response to WWI.
For over 118 years, the installation has served as a training center for service members of the United States Armed Forces and the LANG mounting responses to the Mexican Expedition, WWI, the Great Flooding of 1927, WWII and the Global War on Terror.
The LANG launched a 90-day online survey in May 2022, where citizens and service members could offer their opinions on the redesignation and suggest a name for the installation. In September 2022, U.S. Army Col. Dirk Erickson, the LANG TCP installation commander, hosted a town hall meeting to field name suggestions.
Over 153 days, 234 potential names were presented to a renaming committee consisting of 14 military, local, and State officials.
“Our redesignation committee convened multiple times to consider all 234 submissions and select and rank the top six,” said Waddell. “I am pleased to report that the committee’s recommendation for the new name was the number one of the top six.”
Waddell explained that the first part of the name, Louisiana National Guard, represents the strength of the organization: the people.
“Today, we have nearly 11,000 Guard personnel, more than 800 State employees, 895 technicians and thousands of families that serve and support the State and country in an extraordinary manner. Our Guard members represent less than one percent of the population that serves our country” expressed Waddell.
The next part of the name, Training Center, represents the installation’s purpose as a training center for the service men and women in the LANG and armed forces while providing space and facilities for organizations such as the Youth Challenge Program and STARBASE.
The final part of the name, Pineville, represents the town that is geographically located in the middle of the state and is a strategic location for staging equipment and personnel to support every part of the state.
“Community has a special meaning to our Guard members. The dual mission of the Guard is unique,” expressed Waddell. “The Guard is a community, and we are excited that our redesignated name will be connected to the community in which the installation resides.”
Waddell expressed the name change signifies forward movement, like the flag on a Soldier’s uniform, within the organization, as well as reflecting on the organization’s current values while shaping the future within the local communities.
“I’ve said this many times. The people of Louisiana inspire me, but there’s not a group of Louisianans who inspire me as frequently or as deeply as the Louisiana National Guard,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. “General, you were talking about 118 years, and there’s a lot that has changed over 118 years, and we want this installation to be as strong as it can possibly be for the next 100 years and beyond.”
Edwards explained the diversity within the LANG, and that the name change showcases the diversity and unity within the LANG.
For Soldiers like Col. Dirk Erickson, who has served in the LANG for 38 years and has roots tied to the installation, the name change represents where the organization is headed and brings credit to the organization as a whole and not any one person.
“This has always been a place for units to train and an inclusive place for units to do training. My memories are not of the name, but my memories are of the men and women I have served with,” said Erickson.
Today, the LANG TCP covers over 15,000 acres and has over 500 full-time employees who ensure theinstallation remains committed to supporting all training of the LANG and Department of Defense customers in support of military and emergency operations, both federal and State.
“We have obviously come a long way, but there’s always more work to do. I believe this new designation will serve to unify the members of the Louisiana National Guard as it moves forward in its commitment to continuing to serve Louisiana and the United States of America,” said Edwards.