La. Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade honored before deployment

PINEVILLE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Around 700 soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard‘s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat team were honored during a deployment ceremony in Lafayette, April 13.

The ceremony, held at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette, was attended by several luminaries. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Major General Thomas Friloux, Command Sergeant Major Clifford Ockman, and others graced the stage.

Governor Landry, a former member of the 256th, thanked the soldiers, saying, “I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of the Soldiers who are seated here today.” Major General Friloux added, “I have all the confidence in the world that you will do an outstanding job on this deployment.”

The “Tiger Brigade” is deploying in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom—Horn of Africa to provide security and support to U.S. and partner organizations.