Louisiana Army and Air National Guard

Story by Sgt. Michael Owens

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Louisiana National Guardsmen have been assisting with flood abatement operations since Oct. 31, when flood waters threatened neighborhoods in Bossier City, La.

Since Saturday evening, approximately 400 Louisiana Guardsmen have been running around-the-clock operations to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bossier City officials and Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base reinforce a six-mile stretch of levee that was starting to be overtopped by waters from the Redshoot bayou after Thursday's massive rainfall.

Forty-eight high water vehicles were also used to support the operations.

"We have been out here working constantly to make sure these homes do not take in flood waters," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Henry H. Roe, the dayshift officer-in-charge.

So far, the mission of delivering sandbags and reinforcing the levee has been successful but not without challenges.

"There is not much light in the area, so visibility is our biggest obstacle at night," said 1st Sgt. Jabian R. Sellers, one of the noncommissioned officers-in-charge. "We have been using the light from our vehicles, and it has been working well for us."

"It feels good to know that we are helping a community in need," said Spc. Christopher L. Deprez, of the 2/108th. "Responding when our state needs us is what the National Guard is all about."

As crews worked throughout the day, residents from the nearby neighborhood walked over to observe everyone in action.

"We flew in from out of town on Saturday and found everyone working very hard to fight the flood waters," said Bossier City resident Andrea Petrosh. "My husband and I are very appreciative of the Guard and everyone that is working to save our neighborhood."

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