thedrifter
02-12-07, 05:05 PM
Trainer prepares Marines for Humvee rollovers
Staff report
Posted : Monday Feb 12, 2007 17:48:35 EST
Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., will soon experience the HEAT.
The first of two Humvee Egress Assistance Trainers is being installed and inspected this week, said Joe Purcell, C4I Integration & Systems coordinator, base training and operations.
The HEAT is an up-armored, generator-powered Humvee with the chassis mounted on a rotating axle to simulate a rollover.
Last July, Maintenance Center Albany, Ga., developed a prototype following direction from former Commandant Gen. Mike Hagee after he saw an Army version.
“HEAT was a device that the Army had created that trains soldiers how to exit from a vehicle in a rollover condition,” according to Terry Bennington, project officer, Training and Education Command, at Quantico, Va. “TECom and the program manager, Marine Corps Training Systems, were basically given a photograph and a few dimensions, and we contacted Logistics Command to take on the project.”
“We have Marines in country right now who are flipping over in Humvees and drowning in two inches of water because they hit a culvert or they just burn to death because they don’t know how to get out — they’re disoriented,” said Lt. Col. Michael Kaine, II MEF training officer.
With up-armored vehicles needed for the war in Iraq, the added weight has caused an increase in accidents.
“The trainer will assist in saving lives from IED incidents by building the skills and confidence in the Marines of their being able to properly egress themselves and others from an overturned vehicle following an IED event,” Purcell said. “Just getting out of the vehicle isn’t enough; you have to set up security and have a plan. It gives the Marines the confidence in their skills to react when they’ve been flipped three times.”
Marines will begin training in the HEAT within the next 30 days, he said. II Marine Expeditionary Force will prioritize training for units preparing to deploy.
Purcell said the base will get another trainer but did not know when it will be delivered.
Ellie
Staff report
Posted : Monday Feb 12, 2007 17:48:35 EST
Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., will soon experience the HEAT.
The first of two Humvee Egress Assistance Trainers is being installed and inspected this week, said Joe Purcell, C4I Integration & Systems coordinator, base training and operations.
The HEAT is an up-armored, generator-powered Humvee with the chassis mounted on a rotating axle to simulate a rollover.
Last July, Maintenance Center Albany, Ga., developed a prototype following direction from former Commandant Gen. Mike Hagee after he saw an Army version.
“HEAT was a device that the Army had created that trains soldiers how to exit from a vehicle in a rollover condition,” according to Terry Bennington, project officer, Training and Education Command, at Quantico, Va. “TECom and the program manager, Marine Corps Training Systems, were basically given a photograph and a few dimensions, and we contacted Logistics Command to take on the project.”
“We have Marines in country right now who are flipping over in Humvees and drowning in two inches of water because they hit a culvert or they just burn to death because they don’t know how to get out — they’re disoriented,” said Lt. Col. Michael Kaine, II MEF training officer.
With up-armored vehicles needed for the war in Iraq, the added weight has caused an increase in accidents.
“The trainer will assist in saving lives from IED incidents by building the skills and confidence in the Marines of their being able to properly egress themselves and others from an overturned vehicle following an IED event,” Purcell said. “Just getting out of the vehicle isn’t enough; you have to set up security and have a plan. It gives the Marines the confidence in their skills to react when they’ve been flipped three times.”
Marines will begin training in the HEAT within the next 30 days, he said. II Marine Expeditionary Force will prioritize training for units preparing to deploy.
Purcell said the base will get another trainer but did not know when it will be delivered.
Ellie