La. Guard Minden-based Soldiers deploy overseas

By Staff Sgt. David C. Kirtland, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

NEW ORLEANS– Soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard’s 39th Military Police Company bid farewell to family and friends during an official deployment ceremony in Bossier City, Louisiana, June 1.

“As the commander and longtime member of this unit, I can tell you without hesitation that there is no better group of Soldiers,” said Tuiel. “I’ve seen the Soldiers of this unit push and motivate each other to great heights.”

More than 100 Guardsmen with the Minden-based unit are scheduled to deploy to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. Including pre-mobilization training at Fort Bliss in Texas, the Soldiers will be away from home for approximately one year.

“Thank you for joining us today as we honor the Soldiers of the 39th Military Police Company as they mobilize to Cuba,” said Brig. Gen. Cindy Haygood, LANG assistant adjutant general – Army. “As a former 139th Regional Support Group commander, I can attest that this unit is prepared for this deployment.”

The official party for the ceremony included Haygood; 1st Lt. Albert Tuiel, 39th commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Sud Robertson, the LANG senior enlisted advisor – Army; and 1st Sgt. Kyle Ellzey, company first sergeant.

Tuiel explained to the families that some of the Soldiers have deployed before and some of them are just beginning their journey, but as they go forward each family member is carried with them.

“The lessons that you taught, the faith that you have in us, and the support that you have always given will keep us,” said Tuiel.

This is the 39th’s second overseas deployment since 9/11 which includes mobilizations to Iraq in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and SOUTHCOM (Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) in 2019.

This unit is also a key part of state emergency operations and has provided support for many state emergencies.