Photo By Kristen Wong | Gunnery Sgt. Gitzler, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Range Training...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - A group of soldiers from 523rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, made improvements to a 831-foot road at Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility.
A group of soldiers from 523rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, made improvements to a 831-foot road at Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility.
The soldiers, based out of Schofield Barracks, arrived at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Oct. 17, and worked on the road from Monday through Friday (except holidays), from as early as 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. They completed the project on Dec. 2.
The pathway, which is used for explosive ordnance disposal, will now have a new gravel road that is built to last for five years.
“We’re more than happy to help,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matt Lashley, Horizontal Construction Platoon, 523rd Eng. Co., 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Marines. They’ve treated us really well. [It’s a] good collaboration between the services.”
Master Sgt. John Martinez, the range chief for the K-Bay Range, said the road is now “100 times better” than it was before. Before the unit arrived, Martinez said the road was not drivable, and in serious need of repair.
“They’re phenomenal,” Martinez, of Brooklyn, N.Y., said of the soldiers. “I appreciate everything they do.”
He described the project as a “win-win situation.” By using the soldiers instead of hiring a contractor, the soldiers receive hands-on training and the Marines have a new road.
“I think it builds a good rapport with each other in a garrison environment,” said Army Sgt. Reynoldo Espinoza, squad leader, 523rd Eng. Co., 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde. “For these guys it’s a good learning experience.”
Espinoza, of Twentynine Palms, Calif., said for more than half of the soldiers, this is their first project. Among the junior soldiers is Army Pfc. Deykes Lopez, a heavy equipment operator for 523rd Eng. Co., 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde. Lopez, of Reno, Nev., said he was able to learn a great deal in addition to getting more “stick time” — being able to operate their heavy equipment and machinery.
Martinez said he also has future projects down the line that he plans to request that the unit restore, to include the demolition range and some construction at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows.
| Date Taken: | 01.06.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2012 16:20 |
| Story ID: | 82129 |
| Location: | KANEOHE, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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