thedrifter
09-26-08, 08:56 AM
Station to receive Humvee rollover trainer
Story by Lance Cpl. M. Daniel Sanchez, Desert Warrior Staff
In approximately two months, Yuma Marines can take Humvee rollover training here, sparing commands from sending troops to train at other bases.
Construction started on the new Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer Aug. 19 near the obstacle course here and is scheduled to be ready for use by the end of November.
Rollover training is a predeployment requirement for all Marines, said Gunnery Sgt. Robert Galan, station HEAT instructor. It's important to have that capability on station, as opposed to traveling to other bases to train.
U.S. Central Command mandated the Humvee rollover training as a requirement for all units and personnel deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan in September 2007 due to the number of service members injured in rollovers in previous years.
Between 2005 and 2006, 249 service members were severely injured and 90 died in rollover accidents in combat, said Galan. Of those seriously injured, 50 percent were not wearing a seat belt.
The HEAT is a shell of an up-armored Humvee attached to an electric engine which allows instructors to rotate the shell, giving Marines the chance to exit the vehicle from various positions.
The training teaches Marines to think and talk to each other during a rollover and to instill confidence in the Humvee's seat belt system.
The $267,000 facility will house a rollover simulator, bleachers, two water fountains and 12-foot by 12-foot storage area, said Craig Bowman, HEAT project lead. The HEAT building will be covered with metal paneling on the back end, thick cloth on the sides and be left open in the front, similar to the station martial arts pit.
Once the facility is complete, Marines will need to schedule training through the station safety department.
"This is going to be another tool for Marines to use to get ready for the fight," said Capt. John Jedra, deputy director of the station's installation and logistics department, which is overseeing the construction of the HEAT facility.
Ellie
Story by Lance Cpl. M. Daniel Sanchez, Desert Warrior Staff
In approximately two months, Yuma Marines can take Humvee rollover training here, sparing commands from sending troops to train at other bases.
Construction started on the new Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer Aug. 19 near the obstacle course here and is scheduled to be ready for use by the end of November.
Rollover training is a predeployment requirement for all Marines, said Gunnery Sgt. Robert Galan, station HEAT instructor. It's important to have that capability on station, as opposed to traveling to other bases to train.
U.S. Central Command mandated the Humvee rollover training as a requirement for all units and personnel deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan in September 2007 due to the number of service members injured in rollovers in previous years.
Between 2005 and 2006, 249 service members were severely injured and 90 died in rollover accidents in combat, said Galan. Of those seriously injured, 50 percent were not wearing a seat belt.
The HEAT is a shell of an up-armored Humvee attached to an electric engine which allows instructors to rotate the shell, giving Marines the chance to exit the vehicle from various positions.
The training teaches Marines to think and talk to each other during a rollover and to instill confidence in the Humvee's seat belt system.
The $267,000 facility will house a rollover simulator, bleachers, two water fountains and 12-foot by 12-foot storage area, said Craig Bowman, HEAT project lead. The HEAT building will be covered with metal paneling on the back end, thick cloth on the sides and be left open in the front, similar to the station martial arts pit.
Once the facility is complete, Marines will need to schedule training through the station safety department.
"This is going to be another tool for Marines to use to get ready for the fight," said Capt. John Jedra, deputy director of the station's installation and logistics department, which is overseeing the construction of the HEAT facility.
Ellie