Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 bridges together

Photo By Sgt. Elyssa Quesada | Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 work together to unhook straps used to raise a bridge being placed along a nature trail aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Sept. 22.  

UNITED STATES

09.24.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Elyssa Quesada 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Several sections within Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, such as heavy equipment, combat engineering and utilities, came together in support of a bridge project aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Sept. 22.

The project was set in motion after rough weather knocked several trees onto the existing bridges located on the nature trail causing them to be out of order, according to 2nd Lt. Luke Smith, the MWSS-273 combat engineer platoon commander.

"The (Marines) have laid a foundation and dealt with concrete before, but they've never built a bridge," Smith said.

Although the project has been in place for the past several months, most of the planning was completed over the last month and a half.

Before any heavy equipment was brought in, gravel and mulch had to be laid down in order to keep the heavy machinery from sinking through the soft ground.

"The most difficult part was the planning aspect, getting with public works and the wildlife conservation office," said Sgt. Rusty Trahan, a combat engineer with MWSS-273. "We had to make sure we went through all the right commands before anything went into place."

Before putting any foundations in place, Marines skilled in drafting and surveying had to measure the depth and width of the creek and specific markings to ensure the bridge lined up accordingly.

"The distance between the pads needs to be correct or else the bridge won't fit," said Lance Cpl. Steven Barger, a D and S with MWSS-273. "My job can be critical at certain points throughout the project, but I'm excited to see if it fits."

The concrete foundation consisted of three tiers; the bottom tier is for stability, the second tier will hold the bridge structure in place and the top tier is designed to keep the five and one half foot by 34-foot bridge from swaying.

"I've been working on it for about a month, so it's nice to see something other than concrete," Barger added.

The bridge project took approximately 15 Marines to complete, each with various responsibilities at the site.

It took all of the morning to place the bridge into the already placed foundations; in order for a bridge to be completely finished, it needs to be secured to the tiers and railings need to be put in placed for extra support to all who use it, according to Trahan.

"I really enjoy my job, the different variations of work that we get to experience can range from wood work to concrete and starting on the second (bridge)," Trahan said.

The Marines with MWSS-273 will continue the bridge project along the nature trail by putting a smaller bridge in place, scheduled to be completed early in 2010.

• Date Taken: 09.24.2009
• Date Posted: 09.24.2009 11:56
• Story ID: 39214
• Location: US