An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 27, 2010

Christmas comes early for Guardsmen, families

By Courtesy Story

NEW ORLEANS - All members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are finally home after serving a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning throughout the first three weeks of December.

“These Soldiers are truly great Americans,” said Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, the adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard. “These heroes stepped up to our nation’s call to protect our freedoms, and it is great to welcome them home.”

Approximately 3,000 Guardsmen, assigned to different units within the 256th, received smiles, hugs and cheers as they unloaded buses at their unit armories across Louisiana.

“It really feels great to be home,” Army Spc. Dex Legendre said.  “The timing of our return will make this a very special holiday season.”

In January, the 256th IBCT mobilized and deployed approximately 3,000 troops to Iraq as they began their second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

These Soldiers completed demobilization training in Camp Shelby, Miss., before returning to Louisiana.

“We had a multitude of missions, and the Soldiers did an outstanding job,” said Army Col. Jonathan Ball, the 256th commander. “I have a lot of pride in their performance.”

The 256th's Soldiers were spread throughout Iraq conducting various missions to include: base defense and entry control point operations, convoy security, personal security, garrison command, special operation missions and unmanned aerial flight operations. 

Louisiana Guardsmen routinely interacted with personnel from the local Iraqi military, U.S. Embassy and United Nations within the International Zone, formerly known as the Green Zone.

“Morale stayed high the whole time, and they did an outstanding job,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Wagner, the 256th senior enlisted advisor. “I was never more proud to be their sergeant major.”

During this 2010 deployment, they helped set the conditions for the responsible withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces and equipment as they transitioned to Operation New Dawn in September 2010.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...