Photo By Sgt. Juanita Philip | Members of the 662nd Engineer Company, Virgin Islands National Guard performed...... read more read more
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The 662nd Engineer Company conducted improvement projects to Virgin Islands National Guard buildings and facilities on St. Croix, during its annual training period ending, Aug. 19.
From the remote, former 210th Regional Training Institute, in the west also known as Ham’s Bluff, to the Estate Bethlehem Military Compound, the unit diligently worked to give the VING a facelift.
“A team of soldiers are doing horizontal construction operations-clearing and grubbing- at the Ham's Bluff location, the former Regional Training Institute, clearing the fence line of debris and bushes,” said Sgt. 1st Class Hillroy Williams, first sergeant of the 662nd Engineer Company.
The unit deployed 17 members to the Ham's Bluff location, where most of the workers used machetes to clear the brush and vegetation outside the fence line for a 180 degree unimpeded view of the building perimeter.
"We were tasked to clean the perimeter of the fence on the outside up to 30 feet, for security reasons; so whenever the security personnel come down here they will be able to see what going on with the perimeter," said Staff Sgt. Gideon Hurtault, the project manager.
"If time permits we will fill in holes in the road," Hurtault added.
One soldier, who is new to the unit, was put in charge of the operations crew at the Ham’s Bluff location.
Pfc. Jose Berrios was the site foreman for the former 210th RTI crew on one of the working days. This was Berrios' first annual training with the unit since leaving initial training.
"Right now we're continuing with the clearing process. We have an experienced driver clearing an uphill portion of the fence line that was particularly difficult to navigate,” Berrios said. “We are currently awaiting a team that left to get gravel to fill potholes in the access road to make the location more easily accessible.”
Prior to the unit members going down to the remote location, visits there were minimal because of the difficulties in traversing the roadway.
"So far it’s going really good. We're all training on the equipment; this is very hands on so I am having a great time. This unit training is definitely living up to expectations,” said Berrios in reference to the project.
In addition to this project, the unit also had members conducting general maintenance at the Lieutenant Colonel Lionel A. Jackson Readiness Center.
“We're conducting self-help around the Armory,” said Williams.
“A team of eight engineers is changing burnt out lights, replacing ceiling tiles, pouring concrete to fill in gaps on the floors-we're basically assisting the CFMO [Construction and Facility Management Office] with work orders that were submitted,” he expounded.
The unit also had another team cleaning out the locker rooms and installing new lockers. Every member was fully engaged as the unit pitched in to improve the facilities.
“Also we have another crew of five restriping the parking lot lines. Since the parking was paved over CFMO haven't been able to paint over the parking spots, so we're assisting with that too, to accommodate adequate parking spaces,” said Willaims.
Williams also spoke on another project the unit dedicated a couple of days work to complete.
“There is a CFMO storage room behind the PX [post exchange] with a little swell that prevented trucks from reversing to the building to load and unload materials,” Williams explained.
"We basically put in a semi culvert to allow trucks easier access to the building. This is just a temporary solution until something permanent can be done.”
The unit is expected to close the projects before training is done, provided they receive all the materials to finish up the outstanding projects. This annual training members worked hard at improving VING facilities.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2016 16:51 |
| Story ID: | 207729 |
| Location: | ST. CROIX, VI |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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