.jpg "(From left to right) Sgt. Cosme Harrison, Spc. Jahbari Burton, Sgt. Emile Proctor and Sgt. Roane Dowe offload a 3K generator that will power their water systems during the ROWPU Rodeo at Ft. Story, Va. (VING Photo")
Soldiers of the Virgin Islands National Guard 610th Quartermaster Company from St. Thomas finished in sixth place in the Sgt. Maj. John C. Marigliano 2012 Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) Rodeo held at Ft. Story, Virginia, from Aug 13-24.
The five member team of Sgt. Emile Proctor, Sgt. Tenryu Matthew, Sgt. Roane Dowe and Spc. Jahbari Burton competed against 16 other teams from Active Army, Reserve components, National Guard and the United States Marine Corps.
This competition ensures individual commands can provide direct support water purification, storage and distribution for brigade and echelons above on an area basis. Water purification and distribution units can provide up to 360,000 gallons of potable water per day from a fresh water source or 240,000 gallons from salt water.
“My soldiers did an outstanding job,” said Cpt. Nichole Payne, commander of the 610th Quartermaster Company. “They are all experienced each in operating the unit’s water systems and can always be counted on to assist in any situation or emergency as it relates to water purification.”
Last November, 40 soldiers were called to territorial active duty on St. Thomas by Gov. John deJongh to produce purified water for the island during a water supply shortage at the V.I. Water and Power Authority. The unit produced over 1,629,180 gallons of purified water from Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, 2011.
