thedrifter
07-13-07, 05:40 AM
High-Tech System Helps Marines Beat the Heat
Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 05:53 PM Updated: 07:12 PM
By Philip Jones
With temperatures peaking in the mid-90s, it's enough to make anyone miserable unless you’re floating in the pool -- but what about our troops?
With heavy gear, training to protect our country is no day at the beach. Nine On Your Side's Philip Jones went aboard Camp Lejeune Thursday, showing us the warning system the base has in place to prevent a military meltdown.
It may not be “Old Glory,” but this flag gets a lot of attention at Camp Lejeune. Believe it or not, it's part of a complex system with a simple message -- it's hot outside, and even our troops need to take a few precautions.
“It gives [commanders] kind of a guideline,” said Phil Molloy, who heads up the Automated Heat Stress System project at Camp Lejeune.
The system is a high-tech way to help commanders know the toll the heat will take on their Marines during training.
Here's how it works -- seven units similar to this one are stationed around the base. Each of the units takes three different measures of the outside temperature. It also gets a reading of the relative humidity -- and using a formula, it calculates a number that signifies the actual stress, training outside will place on a Marine's body.
When that number gets too high, red or black flags fly --that means more water breaks and less strenuous activity.
“It's very important for commanders to have every and any tool for the safety of their individuals and to facilitate training,” Molloy said.
And while that might seem like a lot of work, Molloy says the bottom line is simple -- keeping Marines safe in the heat during training will help them stay cool under fire on the battlefield.
Camp Lejeune is the first military installation in the country to use the system -- and the best part about it -- commanders can get instant readings from each of those units just by going online.
Ellie
Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 - 05:53 PM Updated: 07:12 PM
By Philip Jones
With temperatures peaking in the mid-90s, it's enough to make anyone miserable unless you’re floating in the pool -- but what about our troops?
With heavy gear, training to protect our country is no day at the beach. Nine On Your Side's Philip Jones went aboard Camp Lejeune Thursday, showing us the warning system the base has in place to prevent a military meltdown.
It may not be “Old Glory,” but this flag gets a lot of attention at Camp Lejeune. Believe it or not, it's part of a complex system with a simple message -- it's hot outside, and even our troops need to take a few precautions.
“It gives [commanders] kind of a guideline,” said Phil Molloy, who heads up the Automated Heat Stress System project at Camp Lejeune.
The system is a high-tech way to help commanders know the toll the heat will take on their Marines during training.
Here's how it works -- seven units similar to this one are stationed around the base. Each of the units takes three different measures of the outside temperature. It also gets a reading of the relative humidity -- and using a formula, it calculates a number that signifies the actual stress, training outside will place on a Marine's body.
When that number gets too high, red or black flags fly --that means more water breaks and less strenuous activity.
“It's very important for commanders to have every and any tool for the safety of their individuals and to facilitate training,” Molloy said.
And while that might seem like a lot of work, Molloy says the bottom line is simple -- keeping Marines safe in the heat during training will help them stay cool under fire on the battlefield.
Camp Lejeune is the first military installation in the country to use the system -- and the best part about it -- commanders can get instant readings from each of those units just by going online.
Ellie