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thedrifter
04-11-07, 08:34 AM
Marines take to the skies with realistic training exercises Friday
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
April 10, 2007 - 11:37PM

Yumans can expect to see Marine helicopters landing around town during simulated training exercises Friday evening.

Marine Corps officials announced Tuesday that they will conduct operations in Yuma and in Brawley, Calif., as part of the twice-yearly training.

About 180 Marines will be participating in the noncombatant evacuation exercises to be held that day in both communities, said Col. Bob Hedelund, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1).

"It's with the help of the community and its patience with us that we have the opportunity to provide Marines with some of the best training that they can get," Hedelund said during a news conference Tuesday at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. "It is absolutely precious that we are able to do this training."

MAWTS-1 is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and hosts the seven-week Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI) Course, which includes integrated air and ground troop training.

Hedelund said the type of training the Marines are getting is designed to be consistent with the Corps' real-world mission of performing evacuation operations.

"On average, (an evacuation) can happen somewhere in the world once a year," Hedelund said. "The most recent one happened in southern Lebanon and involved Marines who were trained here."

YUMA WTI SCHEDULE

-2:30 p.m. - MAWTS-1 site commander will arrive at Kiwanis Park; Site commander will remain for entire exercise

He will link up with Yuma police, fire, crash fire rescue and military police, 40 security Marines, 40 role players

-3 p.m. - CH-46 helicopter arrives; First wave of role-playing Marines will be inserted

-3:30 p.m. - CH-46 helicopter arrives; Second wave of role-playing Marines will be inserted

-4 to 4:45 p.m. - VIP flights

-6 to 10 p.m. - Evacuation operations; Several waves of helicopters

-8:30 p.m. - UH-1N lands at Trinity Christian Church for a simulated downed aircraft exercise

Capt. Isaac Lee, the course coordinator, said none of the aircraft involved in the exercise - which will include helicopters, jet fighters, Ospreys and a refueling aircraft - will be carrying explosive ordnance. There will also be a convoy of eight Marine vehicles traveling through the city.

Lee said the exercises will involve 35 aircraft and scenarios of air evacuation of civilians from 6 to 10 p.m. at Kiwanis Park at 8th Street and Magnolia Avenue, at Trinity Christian Center, 4309 W. 16th St. in Yuma, and at a park in Brawley.

Col. Bob Hedelund, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1, said spectators should remain outside the fences.

James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.

Ellie