BHR Sailors and 31st MEU Marines Train For NEO

EAST CHINA SEA, USAFRICOM, AT SEA

03.05.2014

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Burleson 

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

EAST CHINA SEA - Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) drill while underway off the coast of Okinawa, March 4.

NEO is a process of safely evacuating American civilians and embassy officials in the event of an emergency situation a foreign country.

Bonhomme Richard and the 31st MEU train their personnel to respond to situations like these should the need arise during operations or exercises in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Marines, who are assigned to the 31st MEU, played the part of evacuees arriving onboard Bonhomme Richard. Bonhomme Richard’s hangar bay was divided into separate stations, to include in-processing, physical exams conducted by medical personnel, a supply pick-up and a security check point.

“We are the first contact with the evacuees, so everything we do sets the mode for how things are going to be operated,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Nathaniel Cable, NEO security coordinator. “We escort them all the way down from the flight deck and our sentries will lead them through the process of the other stations involved. You never know what might happen because they just got taken from their home, a lot of things are happening on land, so their stress level is really high. We’re going to take their safety and our personnel as first priority.

As evacuees were processed and screened, medical personnel were on hand to provide the evacuees with simulated care and treatment as needed and Sailors from supply department simulated the providing of food, water and blankets.

“We need this type of drill so that we will be ready and prepared to accept evacuees just in case something goes down in another country like a natural disaster or any crisis at all,” said HM1 Juliet Elangos, a Fleet Surgical Team 7 (FST-7) respiratory technician assigned to Bonhomme Richard. “We want to be ready. We’re here to save lives.”

The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is currently participating in CERTEX and is comprised of Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Capt. Joey Tynch, and the amphibious dock landing ships USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Denver (LPD 9), and reports to Commander, Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Hugh Wetherald, headquartered in White Beach, Okinawa.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2014
• Date Posted: 03.05.2014 17:28
• Story ID: 121540
• Location: EAST CHINA SEA, USAFRICOM, AT SEA