A Louisiana National Guard Soldier from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 139th Regional Support Group, participates in pre-mobilization annual training at Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville. The training was conducted with 85 Soldiers March 2-16, 2024, to prepare for deployment to Europe this spring to support the European Assure, Deter and Reinforce mission.
(Louisiana Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet)
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PINEVILLE, La. – Approximately 85 Soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 139th Regional Support Group, conducted annual premobilization training March 2-16.
The two-week training at the Louisiana National Guard Training Center increased the Soldiers’ skills and readiness while identifying gaps or deficiencies.
“The preparation period is crucial for building camaraderie among the Soldiers and ensuring that everyone is on the same page before heading into a stressed deployment environment,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Donald G. Lavalais, 139th RSG senior enlisted leader. “It allows us to make necessary adjustments in our tactics and procedures before being deployed. By training collectively and bringing our skills together, we are better prepared to face challenges that lie ahead during our mission.”
The LANG conducts pre-mob ATs for units to address and resolve issues before moving to their mobilization site or forward deployment location.
“Familiarity with their surroundings can make a significant difference in training,” Lavalais said. “I mean, who does not like playing in their own backyard? Knowing the terrain and weather patterns gives our operations cell a competitive edge to plan training tasks and boost Soldiers’ confidence. Plus, being close to home means less time spent traveling and more time focused on honing skills and improving performance. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
This year’s requirements included the Army Combat Fitness Test, individual weapons qualification and familiarization, and battle drills and warrior tasks.
Mobilizing units must also conduct a Soldier readiness processing event, allowing the state to validate Soldiers through medical and administrative evaluations and verify the deployment status of each unit member.
The training culminated with a three-day staff exercise that simulated scenarios the Soldiers might encounter while deployed.
“Annual training is the building block to learning not only the people and their personalities but also the work ethic and cohesion of the teams,” said Spc. Kylie E. Leday. “Being able to contact our counterparts down range has really allowed me to see the bigger picture of the overall mission. Getting hands-on training on the front end allowed many of us to gain more clarity on what a workday will look like on this mobilization.”
Leday, deploying for the first time, will be the acting religious affairs specialist for 139th and will serve on the Unit Ministry Team with the chaplain.
This spring, the 139th RSG will mobilize to Europe to support the European Assure, Deter and Reinforce mission.