National News Breakneck pace of crises keeps National Guard away from home In the searing 108-degree heat, far from his Louisiana health care business, Army Col. Scott Desormeaux and his soldiers are on a dusty base near Syria's northern border, helping Syrian rebel forces battle Islamic State militants and keeping an eye on Russian troops in the region. by Associated Press Aug. 3 2021 @ 8:30pm In this May 21, 2021, photo Col. Scott Desormeaux, who is with the Louisiana National Guard, talks to reporters in northern Syria during a visit by Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, top U.S. commander for the Middle East. The Syria deployment is just one of many missions the Louisiana Guard had to juggle over the past year. Listening at left is ABC correspondent Luis Martinez. (AP Photo/Lolita Baldor)