PINEVILLE, La. (KLFY) – Solidiers with the Louisiana National Guard are on their way to Texas.

Following a request from the State of Texas and with the approval of the Gov. Jeff Landry, the Louisiana National Guard’s 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, mobilized 50 soldiers to the Texas border in support of Operation Lone Star.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star to ramp up security along the Texas-Mexico border in March 2021, citing insufficient policies from the federal government.

This is the first of three rotations that the Guard will support, with each rotation lasting approximately 30 days. The unit command team, consisting of the company commander, first sergeant and their support staff, will remain in place for the entire 90-day mission, according to Capt. Zach Neely, commander of LANG’s Task Force Lone Star.

“As I will be on mission the entire duration, I have three main responsibilities: provide a smooth transition between rotations, support our Soldiers and ensure they are taken care of, and lastly, serve as a liaison between the Louisiana Soldiers and the Texas unit we are partnered with,” Neely said.

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

Neely said building relationships and effective communication will be important to ensure seamless coordination and collaboration between the Guard's task force team and its Texas counterparts.

“The State has done a good job by selecting specific units with particular skills to man this mission,” said Sgt. Darron Murray, LANG Task Force Lone Star first sergeant. “Each unit is sending a platoon, and I am relying on those noncommissioned officers who know their soldiers, to help design the structure of the platoon and have the right people in the right position.”

Neely said 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.

“We are honored to have been selected to lead this mission for the entire duration. The trust our leadership has in us is empowering,” Neely said. “We understand the scale of this undertaking. We are honored to represent Louisiana and the Louisiana National Guard on this task.”

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