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By Spc. Duncan Foote | Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

Continuing the request from the State of Texas and with the approval of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, the Louisiana National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, mobilized 50 Soldiers to the Texas border in support of Operation Lone Star to replace the original 50 that arrived in March.

This is the second of three rotations that the LANG will support, with each lasting approximately 30 days. The task force command team, consisting of the company commander and first sergeant will remain in place for the entire 90-day mission to ensure accountability, continuity, structure and discipline.

“Now that we have been here for a month, we have established a battle rhythm that benefits the Soldiers,“ said Capt. Zach Neely, commander of LANG’s Task Force Lone Star. “The Soldiers on the first iteration performed their duty to the highest standard. 1st Sgt. Murray and I had no doubt the soldiers on the first rotation would make Louisiana proud.”

The LANG soldiers will be assisting the Texas National Guard with patrols along the southern border to prevent, detect and deter illegal migrant crossings.

Neely explained that the LANG task force team has integrated well with its Texas counterparts, and that Texas has been doing a fantastic job of making sure the Soldiers are supported and have what they need.

“The soldiers have done an outstanding job,” said 1st Sgt. Darron Murray, LANG Task Force Lone Star first sergeant. “The groundwork has been established, and a basis for the mission’s standard operating procedures have been implemented. I feel it will be a smooth transition for all rotations.”

Louisiana’s Guardsmen are trained, ready and equipped to mobilize at any moment to protect lives and property, maintain communications and ensure the continuity of operations and government.

“Regardless of the mission set or the adjustments that had to be made, these Soldiers were flexible and welcomed any challenge given to them,” said Neely. “Rotation 1 did a great job since day one, but I’m excited to see what rotation 2 does because they won’t have the challenge of being the first ones in the rotation.”