thedrifter
12-11-08, 07:32 AM
New Underwater Training Could Keep Marines Alive in Helicopter Crashes
By Philip Jones
Reporter
Published: December 9, 2008
Marine Corps helicopters often fill the skies over eastern North Carolina—and over the Middle East.
Now, Marines at Camp Lejeune are getting some special training on how they can survive if their helo ever crashes over water.
Nine On Your Side’s Philip Jones hit the pool with the Marines Tuesday and explains how this training could save lives.
It’s not exactly the ride of their lives, but it is a ride that could end up saving their lives.
“The only way I can describe it is being on a roller coaster, underwater, going backwards,” said LCpl. Zackory Ingram.
He’s talking about the new Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer at Camp Lejeune.
It’s called “MAET” for short—but simply put, it’s a simulator that could one day keep these Marines from dying in a helicopter crash.
They say going for a ride inside the MAET is a rush—especially when everything goes dark.
“Once you get yourself under control and you know what’s going on, it’s not as frightening,” PFC Jeffrey Czarnec said.
The machine can simulate two different kinds of helicopters which present Marines with two different sets of challenges.
Instructors from Survival Systems USA say they’re teaching these Marines strategies that will keep them alive if their helo ever winds up in the water.
“[We] have them exposed to the water going up their nose,” said instructor Ron Welsh. “They have to deal with the rifles. We give them rubber rifles. They’re wearing all their combat gear, so there’s added weight that they have to make sure they know how to get it off.
“We don’t turn them in to Jacques Cousteau. Time is still critical, so we teach them to exit the aircraft as quickly as possible.”
It’s training these Marines hope they never have to use—but are thankful for nonetheless.
“You don’t know when something bad is going to happen, but when it does, now you’re prepared,” Ingram said.
While the Marine Corps uses several other “MAETS,” instructors say this is the only one built indoors.
Camp Lejeune started using it about a month ago.
Instructors say these same techniques can also be used to help Marines escape from overturned humvees that have hit IEDs.
Video
http://www.wnct.com/nct/news/local/article/new_underwater_training_could_keep_marines_alive_i n_helicopter_crashes/25900/
Ellie
By Philip Jones
Reporter
Published: December 9, 2008
Marine Corps helicopters often fill the skies over eastern North Carolina—and over the Middle East.
Now, Marines at Camp Lejeune are getting some special training on how they can survive if their helo ever crashes over water.
Nine On Your Side’s Philip Jones hit the pool with the Marines Tuesday and explains how this training could save lives.
It’s not exactly the ride of their lives, but it is a ride that could end up saving their lives.
“The only way I can describe it is being on a roller coaster, underwater, going backwards,” said LCpl. Zackory Ingram.
He’s talking about the new Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer at Camp Lejeune.
It’s called “MAET” for short—but simply put, it’s a simulator that could one day keep these Marines from dying in a helicopter crash.
They say going for a ride inside the MAET is a rush—especially when everything goes dark.
“Once you get yourself under control and you know what’s going on, it’s not as frightening,” PFC Jeffrey Czarnec said.
The machine can simulate two different kinds of helicopters which present Marines with two different sets of challenges.
Instructors from Survival Systems USA say they’re teaching these Marines strategies that will keep them alive if their helo ever winds up in the water.
“[We] have them exposed to the water going up their nose,” said instructor Ron Welsh. “They have to deal with the rifles. We give them rubber rifles. They’re wearing all their combat gear, so there’s added weight that they have to make sure they know how to get it off.
“We don’t turn them in to Jacques Cousteau. Time is still critical, so we teach them to exit the aircraft as quickly as possible.”
It’s training these Marines hope they never have to use—but are thankful for nonetheless.
“You don’t know when something bad is going to happen, but when it does, now you’re prepared,” Ingram said.
While the Marine Corps uses several other “MAETS,” instructors say this is the only one built indoors.
Camp Lejeune started using it about a month ago.
Instructors say these same techniques can also be used to help Marines escape from overturned humvees that have hit IEDs.
Video
http://www.wnct.com/nct/news/local/article/new_underwater_training_could_keep_marines_alive_i n_helicopter_crashes/25900/
Ellie