GRAND ISLE, La., - The Louisiana National Guard is conducting
around-the-clock operations to fill in a breach near Grand Isle, La., in
support of operations related to the oil spill off the coast of Louisiana.
Guardsmen of the 922nd Horizontal Engineer Company, 769th Engineer
Battalion, have been working day and night to fill in a 700 foot gap on
Elmer's Island in an effort to keep oil tainted water out of an area that is
critical to Louisiana's shrimp and tourism industry.
"It is important that we keep this operation continuous," said Staff Sgt.
Robert L. Lanclos, who is in charge of the night time operations. "If we
were to take nightly breaks before the entire mission was complete, the
water's current would push and break the sand. Each morning we would be
back to square one."
Using five dump trucks, the Guardsmen travel about two miles round trip
along the shore line to pick up and drop the sand.
After the dump trucks drop the sand, a dozer pushes and packs it into place.
"It is a really complex mission, but the engineers can handle it," said
Lanclos. "Because we are working after nightfall, we make sure safety is an
important element, especially working so close to water."
Many of the Guardsmen, including Baton Rouge, La., native Spc. Collin M.
Parent, had never been to Grand Isle, but realize they have a very important
mission on their hands.
"I know that we are helping Louisiana out tremendously, especially since the
governor and adjutant general came here yesterday," said Parent. "What we
are doing is very important, and I am happy to be a part of it."