Photo By Chuck Cannon | Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram (center), Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation...... read more read more
FORT POLK, La. — Lt. Gen. Douglas M. Gabram, Commanding General, U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe M. Ulloth, IMCOM Command Sergeant Major, visited the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk on Jan. 26 to see first-hand the effects of two hurricanes, tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic on the installation’s quality of life.
An aerial tour revealed damage wrought by hurricanes Laura and Delta.
On Aug. 27, Hurricane Laura — packing winds of 145 mph and spawning tornadoes — made landfall on the southwestern Louisiana Gulf Coast near Cameron. The Category 4 storm plowed northward, following U.S. Highway 171, and crossing the JRTC and Fort Polk, before continuing its trek to Shreveport and beyond. At Fort Polk, the storm was still a Category 3 hurricane with 130 mph winds. The strewn debris littered Fort Polk housing and offices. Fort Polk was left without power for weeks. More than 200 trees covered fairways and a walking trail around Warrior Hills Golf Course.
The downed trees, destruction of homes and offices throughout the installation with some roofs in disarray illuminated how recovery continues at Fort Polk. Despite these visible reminders, the resiliency and tenacity of the JRTC and Fort Polk team ensures headway, continuity of day-to-day operations and the primary mission: Preparing infantry brigade combat teams to survive and win against the nation’s enemies. Gabram shared his appreciation for the example of the Fort Polk leaders and Soldiers.
“It is an honor to visit JRTC and Fort Polk to see our Warriors who epitomize strength under pressure whether that is from hurricanes or COVID-19. The Soldiers’ and leaders’ outstanding efforts ensure readiness. The whole IMCOM team stands with you.”
The local and visiting leaders collaborated on continued recovery effort plans with input from Corvias personnel. Brig. Gen. David S. Doyle, JRTC Commanding General, said Gabram’s visit was important for the JRTC and Fort Polk.
“We appreciate Lieutenant General Gabram taking time to visit our people and see firsthand the work we’re doing at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk to improve the Quality of Life for our Soldiers and their Families,” Doyle continued,
“His visit also allowed us to point out areas where we can apply IMCOM’s continued assistance to sustain Fort Polk’s role in supporting the Army’s readiness missions.”
Col. Ryan K. Roseberry, Fort Polk Garrison Commander, echoed the sentiment.
“To have a chance to visit one-on-one with the IMCOM commander is a great opportunity for us here at Fort Polk. We were able to highlight the improvements we’ve made in the wake of hurricanes Laura and Delta, as well as our continuing efforts at improving the installation’s Quality of Life in the wake of natural disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.” Roseberry added, “Fort Polk is a Quality of Life installation and all of our initiatives are still in place. Small quality of life improvements are big wins.”
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 02.01.2021 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 388081 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 316 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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