Guardsmen begin filling breaches

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Denis Ricou | Louisiana National Guardsmen hook up a 4,500 pound sandbag to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter before delivering to one of five breaches along the coast of the southeast side of Lafourche Parish, May 10.  

BATON ROUGE, LA, UNITED STATES

05.10.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Denis Ricou 

Louisiana National Guard

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana National Guard began filling one of five breaches near Port Fourchon, La., by dropping large sandbags air-lifted by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into the gaps, May 10.

"We have already placed 80 bags, weighing from 2,000-4,500 pounds each, nearly completing the fill of the largest breach," said Capt. Jeffrey Giering, commander of the 928th Sapper Company and officer in charge of the sling load operations in Port Fourchon, La.

As the helicopters hovered above, Guardsmen hooked up the multi-ton sand bags to slings before being transported and dropped into the 150 foot breach site today.

"This really makes all of us feel good about doing our part…something important," says Pvt. Cody C. Landry of Napoleonville, La., who recovers the slings after the drop.

"This is the reason I joined the Guard…to help protect our state in times of need," said Capt. Jacques F. Comeaux of New Iberia, La., with 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, who piloted one of the Black Hawks for today's mission.

• Date Taken: 05.10.2010
• Date Posted: 05.10.2010 19:39
• Story ID: 49449
• Location: BATON ROUGE, LA, US