Louisiana National Guard soldiers assigned to Task Force NOLA conduct a presence patrol along Canal Street in New Orleans, Aug. 23, 2026. (Peter Drasutis/U.S. Army)
The Louisiana National Guard has completed its mission in New Orleans, leaving the city “the safest it’s ever been,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said in a service news release Monday.
More than 350 Louisiana National Guard soldiers worked alongside state and city police for eight months, conducting patrols and security operations in New Orleans since December 2025 as part of Operation NOLA Safe.
“Our Soldiers brought presence, professionalism, law enforcement skills, and a sense of safety to citizens and visitors, alike. This mission enhanced coordination and cooperation with our law enforcement partners which will pay dividends in the future,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, adjutant general of Louisiana.
During the mission, the guardsmen conducted a total of 31,162 patrol hours, participated in 401 significant activities, assisted law enforcement with 171 arrests, supported 48 de-escalation incidents and provided first aid on 103 occasions, according to the release. Their presence also coincided with a decline in violent crime in the city, the release said.
“This mission, though temporary, allowed our great Soldiers readiness training that they otherwise would not have experienced,” Landry said.
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