VIDALIA — The Louisiana National Guard’s 1086th Transportation Company is deploying for an approximately one-year tour to Kuwait for Operation Spartan Shield.

The 1086th is scheduled for a deployment ceremony at 4 p.m., Saturday at Pineville High School in Pineville, La.

Before deploying overseas, the unit will conduct mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas.

Vidalia native Sgt. Thomas Randall Tarver is part of the 1086th but will not be deployed overseas for this tour. Tarver has been on three deployments previously.

“I go with God with everything,” Tarver said. “God will put you where He wants you and He will protect you.”

Tarver said the unit would train for 45 days in Fort Hood before being deployed.

“Please keep the unit in your prayers,” Tarver said.

The unit is based in Bunkie, La., with detachments located in Vidalia and Ville Platte. The 1086th will provide logistic transportation support during Operation Spartan Shield.

The 1086th deployed in support of operations Desert Storm in 1991, Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Enduring Freedom in Kuwait 2011. The unit has also participated in the state response and recovery operations for hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and Isaac, in addition to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and flood operations in 2016.

Pineville High School is located at 1511 Line St. in Pineville.