Photo By Sgt. Michael Owens | Louisiana National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau and the...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Michael L. Owens
Louisiana Army and Air National Guard
MARRERO, La. – The Louisiana Army National Guard's 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 205th Engineer Battalion celebrated the opening of their new readiness center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Marrero, La., on Dec. 6.
"This is an awesome success story," said LANG Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau. "When the idea of putting a unit in this area originated, local officials were supportive, but finding a place for a new armory somewhere became a complicated mission itself."
The new facility was a welcome relief for the 190 members of the 2225th, who for the past three years have been training in cramped quarters. Lack of space forced the unit to share a facility owned by the Jefferson Parish Health Unit with LANG recruiters and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
"This building lets us take advantage of new training opportunities," said Capt. Josh S. Davis, 2225th company commander. "With all of the new training equipment and space, we can efficiently prepare for future missions," added the Bogalusa, La., native.
The new center is equipped to support the local, state and federal missions of the 2225th which include: providing personnel and equipment to transport, assemble, disassemble, retrieve and maintain all standard U.S. Army bridging systems.
The planning and design of the building also incorporates space for local LANG recruiters who were also working out of the Jefferson Parish Health Unit. Now with more working space and offices, the recruiters have been more productive than ever, according to recruiter Sgt. Lex B. Putnam.
"The tight space we had made it hard to work with even just one recruit," explained Putnam. "Now that we have more elbow room, I have been able to work with three or more prospects at a time."
With a price tag of approximately 16.2 million dollars, the new facility surpassed the expectations of the bridge company Soldiers.
"It's really nice to finally have our own training space," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Trenticosta, 2225th readiness noncommissioned officer. "With this new state-of-the-art facility, our unit will have a renewed since of pride," he added.
The completion of the 41,126 square-foot building designed by Trapolin Architects, APC and Citadel Builders, LLC marks a huge accomplishment for everyone involved, especially the Guardsmen of the 2225th.
"After three years of sharing a building and helping this area overcome major hurricane damage, no other unit deserves this facility more than the 2225th," concluded Landreneau.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2008 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 27754 |
| Location: | MARRERO, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 309 |
| Downloads: | 157 |
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