thedrifter
09-12-06, 09:23 AM
OKINAWA, Japan(Sept. 11, 2006) -- To decrease the probability of casualties from helicopter mishaps over water, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has placed an emphasis on water survival and aircraft emergency and escape procedures.
For two days, instructors of Survival Systems USA based out of Camp Hansen here, trained 31st MEU Marines and sailors with classroom instructions and practical application at the camp’s “helo dunker,” also referred to as the Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer or MAET.
“This training has been embraced by the 31st MEU commanding officer, Col. John Mayer,” said Robert Smith, site manager, Okinawa Training Center. “After having undergone the training himself, Col. Mayer felt his Marines and sailors needed to go through this course.”
Inside the MAET, resembling the troop areas of a CH-46 and CH-53 rotary-wing aircraft, students were strapped into a seat wearing their utility uniform and helmet. The Marines and sailors then adopted a crash position with their feet flat on the deck, hands grasping the seat, and bent at the waist. As the helo-dunker was lowered into the water, the instructor's call of "ditching, ditching, ditching" was their cue to gulp a final breath of air before they were spun upside down underwater.
While underwater they were forced to locate the closest emergency exit and push out a window before making it safely to the side of the pool.
“It was intense because you don’t know what’s going on when you get under the water,” said Cpl. Christopher Arriola, a 21-year-old Spokane, Wash. Native. “Although I was definitely out of my element at first, I know what to do now – Everybody needs to go through it.”
The complete rotation is designed to replicate what would occur when a top-heavy helicopter strikes the water and turns over. The MAET was only a portion of the training. The Marines also used a Shallow Water Egress Trainer (SWET) which resembled a floating chair with seatbelts and had a removable window. Here they practiced egress procedures while turned upside down in the water.
The students were also taught how to use the Intermediate Passenger Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device which looks like a small self-contained underwater breathing apparatus that provides approximately 2 minutes of air.
Another part of the training was the floating chain formation where individuals interlocked their legs behind each other to form a floating chain. Another formation, called the carpet formation, had the students again interlocked but instead facing each other in two columns. The formation has several advantages such as providing individuals a 360-degree view, greater warmth and a larger footprint in the water for rescuers to see. Lastly, the Marines and sailors learned the protocol of deploying a raft and how to function while in the raft daily.
It was evident that after the service members completed the training, their confidence was increased.
“I’m not a good swimmer so I think this training is real useful,” said PFC Jason Soliz, a 20-year-old Layton, Utah native assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 31. “It’s given me a new confidence because I was able to practice the procedures allowing me to know what to expect.”
Meanwhile, Smith feels this type of training should be indoctrinated in the most basic of Marine Corps training in one form or another.
“It’s the type of training that is important to the individual,” Smith said. “I think this training will evolve into something as intrinsic as firing the rifle.”
The water survival and aircraft emergency and escape training, along with numerous other training events, are being conducted during MEUEX 06-2. MEUEX is an opportunity for the 31st MEU to evaluate its core capabilities before commencement of its final training phase. The primary focus is to refine the MEU’s standard operating procedures and its rapid response planning process.
Ellie
For two days, instructors of Survival Systems USA based out of Camp Hansen here, trained 31st MEU Marines and sailors with classroom instructions and practical application at the camp’s “helo dunker,” also referred to as the Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer or MAET.
“This training has been embraced by the 31st MEU commanding officer, Col. John Mayer,” said Robert Smith, site manager, Okinawa Training Center. “After having undergone the training himself, Col. Mayer felt his Marines and sailors needed to go through this course.”
Inside the MAET, resembling the troop areas of a CH-46 and CH-53 rotary-wing aircraft, students were strapped into a seat wearing their utility uniform and helmet. The Marines and sailors then adopted a crash position with their feet flat on the deck, hands grasping the seat, and bent at the waist. As the helo-dunker was lowered into the water, the instructor's call of "ditching, ditching, ditching" was their cue to gulp a final breath of air before they were spun upside down underwater.
While underwater they were forced to locate the closest emergency exit and push out a window before making it safely to the side of the pool.
“It was intense because you don’t know what’s going on when you get under the water,” said Cpl. Christopher Arriola, a 21-year-old Spokane, Wash. Native. “Although I was definitely out of my element at first, I know what to do now – Everybody needs to go through it.”
The complete rotation is designed to replicate what would occur when a top-heavy helicopter strikes the water and turns over. The MAET was only a portion of the training. The Marines also used a Shallow Water Egress Trainer (SWET) which resembled a floating chair with seatbelts and had a removable window. Here they practiced egress procedures while turned upside down in the water.
The students were also taught how to use the Intermediate Passenger Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device which looks like a small self-contained underwater breathing apparatus that provides approximately 2 minutes of air.
Another part of the training was the floating chain formation where individuals interlocked their legs behind each other to form a floating chain. Another formation, called the carpet formation, had the students again interlocked but instead facing each other in two columns. The formation has several advantages such as providing individuals a 360-degree view, greater warmth and a larger footprint in the water for rescuers to see. Lastly, the Marines and sailors learned the protocol of deploying a raft and how to function while in the raft daily.
It was evident that after the service members completed the training, their confidence was increased.
“I’m not a good swimmer so I think this training is real useful,” said PFC Jason Soliz, a 20-year-old Layton, Utah native assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 31. “It’s given me a new confidence because I was able to practice the procedures allowing me to know what to expect.”
Meanwhile, Smith feels this type of training should be indoctrinated in the most basic of Marine Corps training in one form or another.
“It’s the type of training that is important to the individual,” Smith said. “I think this training will evolve into something as intrinsic as firing the rifle.”
The water survival and aircraft emergency and escape training, along with numerous other training events, are being conducted during MEUEX 06-2. MEUEX is an opportunity for the 31st MEU to evaluate its core capabilities before commencement of its final training phase. The primary focus is to refine the MEU’s standard operating procedures and its rapid response planning process.
Ellie