NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Army National Guard's 256th Brigade Special Troops Battalion welcomed new commander, Maj. Henry T. Capello, Jr, at an official ceremony in the Brusly High School gymnasium in Brusly, April 2.
Capello, a resident of Baton Rouge, served as the company commander for C Company prior to the unit’s mobilization in support of the Operation Iraqi Freedom III in 2004. Upon their return in 2005, Capello was assigned as the operations officer for the battalion.
He then served as the executive officer of the BSTB and deployed with the unit again in 2010.
“In my 17 years with this battalion, I’ve personally witnessed the selfless service of these soldiers no matter the mission,” Capello said.
Capello, a graduate of Brusly High school, assumed command of the 256th BSTB from the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Stuart N. Burruss.
Burruss, a resident of Carville, took command in September 2009. During his time as commander, he worked closely with Capello.
“He skillfully developed a world class staff,” Burruss said about the incoming commander. “He’s going to have challenges as a commander, but he will succeed.”
Capello was presented with the unit guidon by Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general of the LANG.
“I have no doubt that he will stand up to the challenges of commander and successfully lead this battalion,” said Landreneau.
In January 2010, the 256th BSTB was mobilized as part of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, and conducted numerous combat support missions across the Iraq joint operational area until redeploying and demobilizing in December 2010.
The mission of the 256th BSTB is to provide combat support with military police, engineer, military intelligence, and signal communication soldiers.
The battalion motto continues to be “Never Behind” and reflects the Special Troops Battalion’s forward placement in battle.
“It is said that the National Guard is filled with ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” said Capello. “It will most definitely be an honor to lead these ordinary people who continuously accomplish extraordinary things.”