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KODIAK ISLAND, Alaska – Sailing the open seas can be dangerous business. Huge swells, heavy winds, storms and other forces of nature are just the beginning. Even everyday existence on a sea-faring vessel can be hazardous to one’s health: from the equipment, to the danger of being swept overboard, and even something as simple as seasickness.
“Even the most experienced soldiers still get seasick,” said Staff Sgt. Theresa Coppock, a 90th Sustainment Brigade combat medic. “When you’re getting hit with 15- to 20-foot waves, it can affect anyone.”
So when the 481st Transportation Company (Heavy Boat) was tasked with a mission to transport cargo to Alaska, bringing a team of medics aboard was a no-brainer.
The 481st, in partnership with U.S. Marines and local Alaskan authorities is supporting Mertavik Innovative Readiness Training. The inter-agency task force is constructing essential infrastructure to facilitate the relocation effort of the tiny village of Newtok.
Newtok is a Yupik Eskimo village of about 400 people on the Ninglick River in western Alaska, which is threatened by erosion and melting and sinking permafrost.
Coppock, a Benton, Ark., native, and registered nurse in her civilian life, began her military career in the Navy. She never expected to grace the deck of a ship again after serving in the Army Reserve for the past 20 years. However, this mission was an unexpected blessing, she said.
“Having the opportunity to come up here for four months is a unique experience,” said Coppock. “Who knows if I’ll ever get this chance again.”
One aspect of the mission the medics have experienced is the close-knit camaraderie amongst the ranks of Army mariners, she said.
“Everyone helps out everyone else,” said Coppock. “Not just the little things, but we also participate in all of the safety drills, so we’re really integrated with the crew.”
Pfc. Kyle McCracken, assigned to the 90th Sustainment Brigade, is also a combat medic.
“It’s been a real experience,” said McCracken, a Hot Springs, Ark., native. “Fortunately, we’ve had no injuries.”
Also a former Navy sailor, Sgt. Francisco Porras, combat medic, 300th Sustainment Brigade, never expected to be back out on the open seas again either.
The Dallas resident, who works as an airfield maintenance technician for his civilian career, wasn’t even aware he’d be waterborne when he accepted the mission, he said.
“However, it’s worked out quite well,” said Porras. “The crew is an extremely professional group of soldiers and have gone out of the way to make us medics comfortable.”
Following his initial enlistment in the Navy as a boatswain’s mate, he continued his military career in the Florida National Guard. He then switched to the active duty component and served in the 82nd Airborne Division. After a deployment to Iraq, he then transferred into the Reserve.
One of the biggest challenges of the boat mission is the fact they have no immediate hospital support, said Porras.
“If something happens out at sea, you’re it. You may have to keep somebody alive long enough until help finally arrives.”
Porras is passionate about his Army profession, he said.
“Being a medic is great. It’s wonderful to have the skills and experience to help people when they need it most. Knowing this is a really good feeling,” he said.
The three-man medical team will support the crew of the IRT for the duration of the three-month mission.
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2013 22:08 |
| Story ID: | 108998 |
| Location: | KODIAK ISLAND, AK, US |
| Hometown: | BENTON, AR, US |
| Hometown: | DALLAS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | HOT SPRINGS, AR, US |
| Hometown: | VALLEJO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Medics on hand to support Army boat crews, by SGT Scott Akanewich, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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