By Maj. Darren T. Herring Jr., Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 139th Regional Support Group, held a post deployment awards ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Baton Rouge, July 13.
During the ceremony, more than 60 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. Jason Mahfouz, the assistant adjutant general – Army of the LANG, Col. Bobby J. Lee Jr., 139th Regional Support Group commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Johnson, LANG State Family Programs director, and Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Lavalais, 139th Regional Support Group senior enlisted leader.
“For the families, and those who supported your Soldiers while they were away from home, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks on behalf of the command group,” said Mahfouz. “To our Soldiers, whether this be your first time deploying or you’ve deployed multiple times, thank you, on behalf of this grateful nation, for stepping up and doing what you do best.”
From June 2024 to March 2025, the 139th RSG assumed responsibility of Base Operating Support Integrator missions at more than eight Eastern Europe Forward Operating Sites to sustain U.S. and multinational operations in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce. Managing operations across sites in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the unit enhanced multinational coordination, translated key resources, established new capabilities and improved infrastructure, environmental compliance and troop services.
Officially recognized as a major command in 2005, the 139th RSG is a multi-functional organization consisting of transportation, maintenance, communications, medical, military band, military police and military intelligence units. This mobilization marks the 139th RSG’s second overseas deployment since 9/11.
