Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jecca Geffre | Col. Michael Aberle (second from right), Task Force-West commander, surveys a map of...... read more read more
VALLEY CITY, N.D. — Task Force-West Commander Col. Michael Aberle and Command Sgt. Maj. Harley Schwind toured the area here today to see the progress made so far by North Dakota National Guard members supporting the flood fight. Task Force-West covers all of the National Guard’s flood operations west of Casselton, N.D.
Aberle and Schwind received a briefing in the tactical operations center from Capt. Jarrod Simek, commander for Company A of the 231st Brigade Support Battalion, on the current situation with the dikes needing to be built up to 24 feet due to the expected rise in water levels.
The 817th (Sapper) Engineer Company, Jamestown, accompanied with personnel from Company B of the 231st Brigade Support Battalion, finished the reinforcement of Hesco barriers along Main Avenue, across from City Park. The Sheyenne River had been pushing toward the top of the 4-foot-high protection.
“I was concerned initially about the Hesco barriers being able to withstand the water level. Now that I see that they’ve been reinforced with sandbags at the ground level and across the top, they’re looking a lot better.” Aberle said.
Once finished, the crew moved to another location to reinforce the levees in areas designated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The 957th Multi-Role Bridge Company also completed its mission of hauling sandbags from Fargo, N.D., late last night and will be shifting its mission to assisting the levee builders from the 817th, as well as the city contractors.
Aberle and Schwind also examined possible safety issues the troops might be facing.
“The Sheyenne is a rapidly-moving river. We want everyone out here to keep safety in mind and be careful,” Schwind said. “We’ve learned lessons in past years that we’ve applied to this fight.”
Aberle and Schwind also attended a town hall meeting with Barnes County and city officials, as well as members of the community.
“The Guardsmen are working really hard here and maintaining high morale,” Aberle said. “They’ve been working really well with agencies across the state and responding in a timely and effective manner. We’re really proud of that.”
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2011 21:02 |
| Story ID: | 68891 |
| Location: | VALLEY CITY, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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