La. Guard’s 225th Engineer Brigade fields advanced survey equipment

By Sgt. Danny Hough, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

PINEVILLE, La. – Earlier this month, seven Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 225th Engineer Brigade participated in hands-on training with the Trimble S7 Robotic Total Station and Trimble R12 systems at Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville, Aug. 14-16.

The three-day training began with classroom instruction, followed by hands-on familiarization with the equipment.

“This training is extremely important. The correct operation of survey equipment can be a somewhat complex process,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Roberts, a non-commissioned officer with the 225th Engineer Brigade. “The fielding of this equipment across multiple units in the State greatly increases the 225th Engineer Brigade’s ability to collect data, plan construction missions and complete those missions in a timely and efficient manner.”

Natalie Martinez-Vega, a surveyor from the Army Geospatial Center, instructed the class on properly utilizing the new equipment, including the software and programs that accompany it.

The Soldiers also received in-depth, hands-on training on assembling the equipment and identifying the best environments for its use.