VENICE, La., - The Louisiana National Guard's construction of the
Tiger Dam shoreline protection system near Venice, La., in the southwest
pass of the Mississippi River Delta continues to move ahead.
"Our engineers continue to work to complete this project to protect coastal
areas and provide a layered defense to lessen the impact of shoreline
oiling," said 1st. Lt. Rebekah L. Andersen, platoon leader with the 1023rd
Vertical Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion.
The 1023rd, headquartered in Oak Grove, La., has constructed nearly 2 miles
of the 7.1 mile barrier across a beach in the southwest pass as a secondary
line of defense to the boom line, to protect the natural marshlands.
The location of the work site requires Soldiers to be airlifted in and out
daily by UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the 1st battalion of the 244th
Aviation Regiment based in Hammond, La.
Additionally, all of the inflatable barrier material and equipment was sling
loaded and dropped in place.
"By being out here day to day and seeing the sand washed up against the dam,
we can tell it's working," said Spc. Benjamin K. Davis.
This water diversion system, normally used for flood control, replaces
sandbags and is comprised of a series of interlocking flexible tubes that
are inflated with water to form a temporary dam or levee.
As work crews layout the Tiger Dam material for assembly and inflation,
other crews work pumps to fill water into tubular sections.
"We just want everyone to know that we're here to do our mission, and we
will do it as effectively as possible," said Andersen of Coffeyville, Kan.
"We know that the community is in support of our activities overseas, but it
seems a bit more personal when they see us working stateside."