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    Reconstruction to VING facility on schedule despite increased COVID-19 cases

    Reconstruction to VING facility on schedule despite increased COVID-19 cases

    Photo By Sgt. Deneesha Smith | Maj. Lionel Eddy, project manager, meets with construction supervisors to inspect the...... read more read more

    ST. THOMAS , VIRGIN ISLANDS, US

    04.22.2020

    Story by Spc. Deneesha Smith 

    Virgin Islands National Guard, 51st Public Affairs Detachment

    Even as the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases identified in the United States and around the world continues to increase, the reconstruction on the Leonard B. Francis Readiness Center in St. Thomas is on target to meet its deadline, November 2020.

    After extensive damage sustained by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created projects valued at $22 million to support the restoration of facilities for the Virgin Islands National Guard VING.

    “The team remains highly encouraged and engaged with finishing this project that started in January 2019,” said Maj. Lionel Eddy, project officer. “With only a few months near the deadline, we have made immense strides in realigning the building structure and are focused on configuring the bathrooms, the Distance Learning Center, and the studio for the 73rd Army Band.”

    Numerous developments gearing towards being ready to stand in any fight were made to the facility. Cement board with Edge Guard was used to decrease mold contamination and increase personnel efficiency. Moreover, a Tactical Operations Center (TOC) was incorporated into the facility to make the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion functional as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

    Safety is the number one priority. Soldiers remain in the frontlines for mission support tasks mandated by the stay at home order which started in March. The on-going construction incorporates a system of daily status checks to include the wearing of the proper personal equipment to deter the spread of COVID-19.

    VING continues to offer better conditions for Guardsmen, Veterans, and the community in which we serve.

    We are in this together. Please visit the USVI Department of Health's website, doh.vi.gov/coronavirus, or text COVID19USVI to 888777. #COVID19USVI

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.22.2020
    Date Posted: 04.23.2020 10:28
    Story ID: 368186
    Location: ST. THOMAS , VI

    Web Views: 41
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN