thedrifter
03-11-07, 08:13 AM
Troops join in battle training
Sunday, March 11, 2007
By BEA O'QUINN DEWBERRY
bdewberry@repub.com
CHICOPEE - Lance Cpl. Jenna Olsen stood on the airfield, arms swaying, as she guided the helicopter to a landing away from the pock-marked field.
Nearby, U.S. Marine Corps reservists stood ready, firmly grasping two gurneys that held "wounded" soldiers waiting to be rushed aboard the aircraft.
Reservists with the U.S. Marine Corps. Wing Support Squadron 472, Detachment Bravo, participated in the simulation of a mortar attack yesterday as part of "rapid runway repair" and casualty evacuation training at Westover Air Reserve Base.
The joint exercise involved the U.S. Marines Corps Reserves; two Massachusetts Army National Guard pilots and a UH-1 Blackhawk helicopter from the 3-126th Aviation Batallion at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield; and two U.S. Navy doctors, who comprised the medical team.
Marine Warrant Officer Patrick F. Robb said explosives were used to blow craters into the ground earlier in the week, with reservists yesterday focusing on repairing the holes and evacuation of casualties.
The drill included a sleep-over by several dozen reservists on Friday in unheated cabins, Robb said.
"The (troops) awake to a mortar attack on the flight line," Robb said, noting the exercise was the first time this crew of reservists had participated in such a training. "First we take cover, then we send them out to look for (mock) undetonated bombs to clear the area, and add to that a medical evacuation."
During combat, enemy forces use bombs specifically designed to disable runways. The runways must be repaired as quickly as possible so aircraft stationed there are not sitting targets for enemy fire.
Marine Maj. James W.P. Chiacchia, company executive officer, said the raw weather conditions made the drill more authentic.
"The elements add to this because when you're under hardship you have to focus even harder on the mission to get it done," Chiacchia said.
Lance Cpls. Jacob D. Shane, of Mendon, and Victoria M. Barth, of Northfield, Vt., braved the frigid cold strapped to a gurney for nearly a half-hour as they portrayed injured soldiers.
"You never know when something is going to happen. Even though we're not (medical) corpsmen, this is good training for us," said Barth, 23.
The mission was organized over the past two months by Marine Sgt. Manuel Varelagarcia, an operations chief.
"It's extremely important for the crew to understand the proper way to load a passenger in the carriage," Varelagarcia said. "A few seconds might be vital in saving a person and getting them needed care."
Ellie
Sunday, March 11, 2007
By BEA O'QUINN DEWBERRY
bdewberry@repub.com
CHICOPEE - Lance Cpl. Jenna Olsen stood on the airfield, arms swaying, as she guided the helicopter to a landing away from the pock-marked field.
Nearby, U.S. Marine Corps reservists stood ready, firmly grasping two gurneys that held "wounded" soldiers waiting to be rushed aboard the aircraft.
Reservists with the U.S. Marine Corps. Wing Support Squadron 472, Detachment Bravo, participated in the simulation of a mortar attack yesterday as part of "rapid runway repair" and casualty evacuation training at Westover Air Reserve Base.
The joint exercise involved the U.S. Marines Corps Reserves; two Massachusetts Army National Guard pilots and a UH-1 Blackhawk helicopter from the 3-126th Aviation Batallion at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield; and two U.S. Navy doctors, who comprised the medical team.
Marine Warrant Officer Patrick F. Robb said explosives were used to blow craters into the ground earlier in the week, with reservists yesterday focusing on repairing the holes and evacuation of casualties.
The drill included a sleep-over by several dozen reservists on Friday in unheated cabins, Robb said.
"The (troops) awake to a mortar attack on the flight line," Robb said, noting the exercise was the first time this crew of reservists had participated in such a training. "First we take cover, then we send them out to look for (mock) undetonated bombs to clear the area, and add to that a medical evacuation."
During combat, enemy forces use bombs specifically designed to disable runways. The runways must be repaired as quickly as possible so aircraft stationed there are not sitting targets for enemy fire.
Marine Maj. James W.P. Chiacchia, company executive officer, said the raw weather conditions made the drill more authentic.
"The elements add to this because when you're under hardship you have to focus even harder on the mission to get it done," Chiacchia said.
Lance Cpls. Jacob D. Shane, of Mendon, and Victoria M. Barth, of Northfield, Vt., braved the frigid cold strapped to a gurney for nearly a half-hour as they portrayed injured soldiers.
"You never know when something is going to happen. Even though we're not (medical) corpsmen, this is good training for us," said Barth, 23.
The mission was organized over the past two months by Marine Sgt. Manuel Varelagarcia, an operations chief.
"It's extremely important for the crew to understand the proper way to load a passenger in the carriage," Varelagarcia said. "A few seconds might be vital in saving a person and getting them needed care."
Ellie