73.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsMilitaryVING's 631st Engineer Utilities Repairs Local Schools During Annual Training

VING’s 631st Engineer Utilities Repairs Local Schools During Annual Training

Bertha C. Boschulte Jr. High School lit up at night after the lighting system of the entire school was reenergized by the VING 631st Engineer Utilities Detachment. (Submitted photo)

The Virgin Islands National Guard’s 631st Engineer Utilities Detachment conducted annual training on July 10-24 on St. Thomas.

The unit completed several community projects on the island of St. Thomas during their two weeks training at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School.

At Ivanna Eudora Kean, an entire conference room was rewired, and windows were reinforced. Also, new ceiling tiles and tracks were installed.

The engineering unit constructed eight new benches at Bertha C. Boschulte and two walkway coverings. The unit also reenergized the lighting system for the entire school, which had been without lights since the aftermath of the hurricanes in 2017.

“Home has limited opportunities for soldiers to exercise their skills,” said Army Cpt. Jahmel Leonard, commander of the 631st Engineer Utilities Detachment. “But because of the dedicated NCOs in the unit, the soldiers had an opportunity to practice their military occupational specialty.”

School benches constructed by the 631st Engineer Utilities Detachment during annual training on St. Thomas July 10 – 24. (Submitted photo)

The unit was scheduled to attend a 21-day overseas deployment training in Hohenfels, Germany, which has been postponed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“The most important thing for me during AT is that all soldiers get to exercise their skillsets and improve,” said Leonard.

Other small projects at the 786th Readiness Center supply rooms, such as installing hooks to hang gas masks in the vaults, were also completed.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.