• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Army to Aid Louisiana Army Guard Unit with Early Return from Iraq

September 5, 2005

More than 2,800 Soldiers from a unit with the Louisiana Army National Guard are returning early from Iraq this week following their duties in Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 545 of these Louisiana-based Soldiers have suffered property damage following Hurricane Katrina and more than 50 cannot reach their loved ones. The U.S. Army formed “Task Force Care” to help the Soldiers with their return home.

The advance party of 50 soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard's 256th Brigade Combat team returned Sept. 4 from their Iraq deployment, with more Soldiers expected later this week.

The U.S. Army’s “Task Force Care” will assist all of the returning 256th Soldiers with family-support assistance, legal assistance, medical care, Veterans Administration counseling and healthcare, Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, and Red Cross assistance. The planning effort is examining housing solutions for the unit’s displaced families; mobilization/demobilization rules, policies and regulations; and an array of benefits for returning Soldiers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“This is one Army. And this is what we do in the Army – we take care of our Soldiers and their families,” said Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker.

The vast majority of Soldiers in this brigade are anxious and ready to help the citizens who have been affected by the terrible storm, said Brig. Gen. John Basilica Jr., 256th BCT Commander.

“The people of Louisiana have been worrying about us these past 12 months, now we are worried about them,” he said.

“Many Soldiers, but not all, will have the opportunity to continue to serve their country while on active duty and assisting with Joint Task Force Hurricane Katrina,” Basilica added.

“Our prayers go out to the families and those most affected by Hurricane Katrina,” he said.

Members of the 256th Brigade Combat Team deployed to Iraq in September and October 2004, and will return to Fort Polk, La.