Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Denis Ricou | Heavy equipment operators from the Louisiana National Guard's 922nd Horizontal...... read more read more
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GRAND ISLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard is conducting around-the-clock operations to fill in a breach near Grand Isle, La., in support of operations related to the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana.
Guardsmen of the 922nd Horizontal Engineer Company, 769th Engineer Battalion, have been working day and night to fill in a 700 foot gap on Elmer's Island in an effort to keep oil tainted water out of an area that is critical to Louisiana's shrimp and tourism industry.
"It is important that we keep this operation continuous," said Staff Sgt. Robert L. Lanclos, who is in charge of the night time operations. "If we were to take nightly breaks before the entire mission was complete, the water's current would push and break the sand. Each morning we would be back to square one."
Using five dump trucks, the Guardsmen travel about two miles round trip along the shore line to pick up and drop the sand.
After the dump trucks drop the sand, a dozer pushes and packs it into place.
"It is a really complex mission, but the engineers can handle it," said Lanclos. "Because we are working after nightfall, we make sure safety is an important element, especially working so close to water."
Many of the Guardsmen, including Baton Rouge, La., native Spc. Collin M. Parent, had never been to Grand Isle, but realize they have a very important mission on their hands.
"I know that we are helping Louisiana out tremendously, especially since the governor and adjutant general came here yesterday," said Parent. "What we are doing is very important, and I am happy to be a part of it."
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2010 16:19 |
| Story ID: | 49502 |
| Location: | GRAND ISLE, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 361 |
| Downloads: | 290 |
This work, Louisiana Guardsmen continue to push in Grand Isle, by SGT Michael Owens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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