BATON ROUGE, La., - The Louisiana National Guard began filling
one of five breaches by dropping large sandbags airlifted by UH-60 Blackhawk
helicopters into the gaps near Port Fourchon, La., 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, 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 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation
Regiment, who piloted one of the Blackhawks for today's mission.