Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Djibouti: Army National Guard conducts water drilling tests at Camp Lemonnier By Air Force Senior Airman Lael Huss
                U.S. Air Force
 CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - It's isolated, noisy and messy – but if successful could be beneficial to Camp Lemonnier and local Djiboutians. Thanks to new equipment, U.S. Army National Guard 257th Engineer Team drilled four water test wells in different locations here, March 12 to 19. "The wells are part of a study to determine if pulling water from a beach aquifer is a viable option for removing Camp Lemonnier from the Djiboutian Fresh Water Aquifer and leaving that resource solely for the Djiboutians," said Army Capt. Joseph Bzdok, 257th Engineer Team commander. The well development project directly supports Camp Lemonnier's initiative to identify alternative well locations and assist in future development of camp infrastructure. The team conducted a 24-hour constant rate test for future development and testing of camp aquifer water tables. A constant rate test is a constant pumping of a well to determine what amount of water can be pumped out at a sustained rate for an indefinite amount of time. "The pump test right now is pumping at 540 gallons per minute," Bzdok said. "If the lowering of the water table level of the static water level does not change significantly, we know it can sustain 540 gallons per minute." The team finished the last of four test wells four days ahead of schedule. "The sandy soil conditions have allowed us to drill faster, but the sandy soil is also harder to stabilize from collapsing down the hole," Bzdok said. "The sea water level is very shallow and doesn't support heavy equipment operations well," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Shane Banks, 257th Engineer Team drill leader. "(There's) less than an eight-inch crust (of soil)," Bzdok said. "The rest is goop underneath." The team set up the rig in three locations around the final well site, but the weight of the rig caused it to sink into the soft sand and underlying glop. "The third hole had to be abandoned after it was drilled and cased, and a fourth well had to be drilled for the pump test (due to the soil collapsing down the hole.) So the unit actually drilled four complete holes and cased three of them," Bzdok said. The team is using this experience as on-the-job training to work out any kinks in the new equipment before using the machines out in the field.
"It is a lot easier to deal with equipment needs and repairs here than eight hours away," says Banks about their upcoming missions throughout the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa's area of responsibility. Despite the challenges and constant maintenance issues, Banks said the team knows the wells and testing will "help support the success of the camp and the health and missions of the (personnel) stationed at Camp Lemonnier."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment Overseas Operations • 6 days ago
 29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response Overseas Operations • 11 days ago
 134th Medical Company Joins Combined Resolve Exercise Overseas Operations • 12 days ago
 Guard Soldiers, Czech Partners Celebrate Victory in Europe Day Overseas Operations • 14 days ago
 Pennsylvania Guard Military Police Deploying to Guantanamo Bay Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (23)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil