Photo By Capt. Kiara Spann | Pfc. Kirenski Fletcher, water purification specialist, 351st Aviation Support...... read more read more
COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, GULFPORT, Miss.-- A five-man team of water purification specialists from the 351st Aviation Support Battalion, Alpha Company, in Hartsville, South Carolina showcased their skills at the National Guard’s Patriot South Exercise at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Miss., Jan. 31.
These water purification specialists, also referred to as “Water Dogs” traveled three days by convoy to participate in the exercise.
“Patriot South is a very big deal to a lot of the soldiers here,” said Capt. Dena Ogden, company commander of the 351st Aviation Support Battalion Alpha Co., Hartsfield, S.C. “There has been a lot of new soldiers who have just recently completed advanced individual training, and have not had the experience of purifying water on a large scale such as this, so this is the first time they get to exercise what they've learned.”
The Water Dogs can set up a tactical water purification system and produce purified water in two hours. When water is pumped from a freshwater source the TWPS can produce 1,500 gallons of water an hour fresh. When it is pumped from a saltwater source the TWPS can produce 1,200 gallons of water an hour.
“We provide the logistical support that is critical in accomplishing the overall mission,” said Ogden.
The TWPS pulls water from a natural source. The water first passes through a filter called the dolphin strainer, which catches large contaminants. It then goes through a second strainer in the main feed bag, where the liner catches smaller pieces of debris. Calcium hydrochloride is used to treat the water before it travels through 15 pipes in the Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit.
The water that is suitable to drink passes through a hose to be contained, however it still must go through additional tests to ensure it is safe, and the water that could not be purified goes in a backwash hose back into the water source.
“Any chemicals used in the water purification process are secured, so the chemicals can be disposed of properly,” said Pfc. Kirenski Fletcher, water purification specialist,
351st Aviation Support Battalion in Hartsfield, S.C.
For many of the soldiers, this is the first time they get to see how their job fits into the entire mission of their military unit.
“Exercises like PATRIOT South are very important because it sets the young soldiers up to perform in real world situations,” said Capt. Ogden.
PATRIOT South is a domestic operations disaster response training exercise conducted by National Guard units working in support of federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, and first responders. The one-week exercise is focused on the Combat Readiness Training Center, Camp Shelby, and surrounding areas of Gulfport, Miss. More than 500 members of the National Guard, consisting of Soldiers and Airmen, will be participating along with local first responders, emergency management agencies, and relief organizations.
| Date Taken: | 02.02.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2017 11:32 |
| Story ID: | 222285 |
| Location: | GULFPORT, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 213 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, SC NATIONAL GUARD WATER DOGS SHOWCASE THEIR SKILLS FOR PATRIOT SOUTH EXERCISE, by Capt. Kiara Spann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT