By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE – The Louisiana National Guard’s 39th Military Police Company, 773rd Military Police Battalion, 139th Regional Support Group, held a post deployment awards ceremony at the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport on August 3, 2025.
During the ceremony, more than 80 citizen-Soldiers were awarded the Louisiana National Guard War Cross Medal. This medal is awarded to Louisiana Guardsmen who served honorably for a period of at least 90 days in the event of a national emergency, declared war or at presidential behest in other capabilities related to national safety and security.
The official party for the ceremony included Brig. Gen. John Plunkett, special assistant to the adjutant general of Louisiana, Command Sgt. Maj. Sud A. Robertson, Louisiana National Guard senior enlisted advisor – Army, Capt. Albert E. Tuiel Jr., 39th Military Police Company commander and 1st Sgt. Kyle J. Ellzey, 39th Military Police Company senior enlisted advisor.
“I want to personally thank all the Soldiers and their families for being here today. Your service, commitment and the many sacrifices that you have made throughout this deployment have not gone unnoticed,” said Plunkett. “The missions you accomplished were not easy, but you executed them with professionalism and excellence. I am incredibly proud to serve alongside each and every one of you.”
During their deployment, the 39th MP Co mobilized more than 80 Guardsmen to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. Falling under the 525th Military Police Battalion located at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the unit consolidated three detention facilities, safely escorted two detainees from Guantanamo Bay to their home countries and earned a superior rating in US Army SOUTHCOM’s custody inspection.
This mobilization marks 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.
