NEW ORLEANS – Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall, the Senior Enlisted Leader to the National Guard Bureau chief, visited Guardsmen working the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response effort along the Louisiana coast, July 29 - 30.
Jelinski-Hall toured project sites in Grand Isle, La., spoke to aircrews at the 159th Fighter Wing and visited with Soldiers and Airmen at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans.
“Chief Jelinski-Hall was extremely proud of our Soldiers and Airmen; their energy, morale, and especially their innovation in adapting to the needs of the crisis with their organic unit equipment,” said Chief Master Sgt. James Downing, command chief, Louisiana Air National Guard. “She wanted to make sure that they understood that she was there for them, and to recognize their efforts and hard work for Louisiana and the nation.”
While visiting, Jelinski-Hall took the time to hand out coins to Airmen and Soldiers in recognition for their hard work.
“It was great receiving a coin and to be acknowledged for the work we are doing,” said Sgt. Robert Tolbert of Louisiana National Guard’s 844th Engineer Company, 527th Engineer Battalion. “The visit definitely heightens awareness of what we are doing and it gives us extra motivation to keep going on with the mission.”