La. National Guard was challenged by events in 2021

PINEVILLE—The Louisiana National Guard confronted a demanding 2021 with a plethora of challenges and missions both at home and abroad.
Over the course of the year, soldiers and airmen deployed overseas and to other states, responded to multiple emergencies including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and participated in a number of significant events.
In January, Gov. John Bel Edwards directed the Guard to send approximately 174 service members to augment the District of Columbia National Guard to ensure a safe presidential inauguration
They troops joined National Guard men and women from other states and territories who conducted security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and D.C. authorities.
More than 2,400 Guardsmen from multiple brigades, including the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 225th Engineer Brigade and 139th Regional Support Group, and the Louisiana Air National Guard deployed to the Middle East and the southwest border in the past year.
All Guard units play a vital role after disaster strikes, but even with the reduced force, the Guard was still prepared to protect what matters. Over the course of the year, Guardsmen were called to support operations including: logistical support, water distribution, road clearance, debris removal, generator support, construction, commodity distribution, search and rescue, engineering, and aerial reconnaissance.
During the winter storm in February, the Louisiana National Guard activated more than 1,200 Guardsmen to support operations throughout the state by delivering more than 2.1 million gallons of water and 43,356 meals, clearing 223 miles of road and 260 commercial vehicles from the roadways, and providing 14 generators to aid in necessary infrastructure support.
In May, as flooding began in the southwest portion of the state, the Guard had 393 Guardsmen activated to support a variety of missions, including search and rescue, engineering, and aerial reconnaissance, rescuing 25 people and two pets and installing 3,350 feet of Tiger Dam to mitigate flooding.
Hurricane Ida, in particular, called for a massive emergency response effort. Although prepared and ready, the Guard was assisted with support from neighboring states and military components to assist with the demands and needs of the communities.
More than 3,000 Guardsman activated from 16 states and Puerto Rico assisted in the aftermath of another devastating hurricane strike.
Overall more than 6.7 million meals were distributed, along with 7.9 million liters of water, 1.3 million bags of ice and 310,245 tarps.
A Guard floating bridge assisted in the crossing of 30,710 vehicles. Guard engineers emplaced 1,689 super sacks to fight flooding, assessed 5,314 miles of road and cleared 2,946 miles of road in 20 parishes. The Guard ultimately rescued 397 citizens and 65 pets.
Throughout all of this, more than 800 Louisiana Guardsmen continue to support COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites across the state. To date, the Guard has vaccinated 192,596 and tested 498,122 personnel throughout the state, packaged 41,685,551 pounds of food and delivered 99,530 vaccine vials.
Guardsmen are still supporting 21 open medical test sites, 31 vaccine sites and six open food banks throughout Louisiana.
“The LANG is integral to our partnership in making this successful,” said Dr. John Vanchiere, chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at LSU Health-Shreveport and the director of Community Outreach for Testing and Vaccination Program.
LANG also remained committed to responding to cyber-attacks throughout the state in 2021. In partnership with the Office of Technology Services and the Louisiana State Police, LANG responded to 12 cyber threats that impacted 69 entities within the state, parish and local agencies.
In spite of deployments and emergency response operations, the LANG is dedicated to sustaining readiness and promoting esprit de corps throughout the organization. Some of the highlights included: the Best WarrBy Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office