Photo By Capt. Rebekah Malone | NEW ORLEANS -- Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general of the Louisiana...... read more read more
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NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard bade a warm farewell to retiring Brig. Gen. John B. “Cajun” Soileau Jr., chief of staff of the La. Air National Guard, and his family during a ceremony Saturday afternoon at historic Jackson Barracks, New Orleans.
More than 250 airmen were in formation for the ceremony to honor Soileau for serving his country and state for more than 34 years. In addition to a letter from President Obama and other honors, Soileau received the prestigious Federal and State Legion of Merit awards for his outstanding service.
“It’s been wonderful to be able to serve with such great people over all these years, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said Soileau. “God blessed me with a remarkable career and a loving and supportive wife and children, but now it’s time for me to begin another chapter of my life. I wish the absolute best to all who continue to wear the uniform and serve our country.”
In attendance for the ceremony was Soileau’s wife Donna, who was also honored for her long support, as well as his son John and his wife Jenelle, and his daughter Jessica and their grandson Remi-Eli Albert. A number of other high-ranking officials were also on hand including Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, the adjutant general of the LANG.
“Today we paid honor to a great leader, airman and a great American patriot who has had the foresight and willingness to go down the tough paths,” said Landreneau. “We salute his accomplishments and thank him for his dedicated and selfless service.”
In his nearly three and a half decades in uniform Soileau had a variety of assignments culminating in his present position where, since 2007, he has been responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating programs, policies, and plans to ensure the combat readiness of the 159th Fighter Wing and four geographically separated units comprising nearly 1,500 Airmen.
Soileau, a Ville Platte native, began his career as a pilot in the active duty Air Force in 1977 shortly after graduating as a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then University of Southwest Louisiana) in 1976. During his eight and a half years of active duty as an O-2A Bronco and F-15 Eagle pilot, Soileau had a number of assignments in various states such as Hawaii, Arizona and Florida.
After transferring to the LAANG in 1985, Soileau continued to have success and climbed through the ranks to commander of the 159th Fighter Wing in Belle Chasse, La., and then eventually to become one of only two Air National Guard generals in Louisiana.
Working jointly with the Army National Guard, Soileau helped coordinate the response to one of the worst natural disasters the state has known with Hurricane Katrina. And when the New Orleans asked for more help, Soileau was tasked as commander of Joint Task Force Gator – a force of over 300 Army and Air National Guardsmen who provided law enforcement support to the New Orleans Police Department as the city worked to rebuild and repopulate. The force ultimately managed a 30 percent reduction in crime in the area for which they were responsible.
“It was my privilege to work with our Guardsmen who participated in that unprecedented and successful mission,” said Soileau.
Soileau’s career has long been centered on service to his state, however, and he has participated in numerous other operations and contingency responses both at home and abroad to include Joint Task Force Pelican, Operations Noble Eagle, Provide Comfort, Cornet Nighthawk, Southern Watch and Northern Watch.
Soileau said one of his fondest memories is of his time as commander of the 159th Fighter Wing.
“I watched our Airmen respond so magnificently to the tragic event of Sept. 11, 2001,” he said.
Col. Michael Lopinto, who followed Soileau as commander, said the feeling was mutual.
“He’s always been a great friend and mentor to me,” Lopinto said. “But more than that, he’s always been one of the most well-liked commanders I’ve known. He has a star on his shoulder, but he has a way of making every Airmen feel like his equal when he walks in a room. He’s a real Airmen’s general who always thinks of his people first.”
When asked about his success though, Soileau personally gives much credit to his wife and family for their support over the years.
“Donna has been by my side throughout my career,” he said. “I would not, could not, be where I am today without her love and support.”
Soileau is a command pilot with more than 2,200 hours flown and has been decorated with dozens of both federal and state medals and honors over his distinguished career.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2010 09:49 |
| Story ID: | 58554 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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