The key to survival

Photo By Pfc. Chung Il Kim | Pvt. Kimani J. Robinson, a Soldier with the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, shows his proficiency on a satellite radio to his team, Jan. 22 on Camp Humphreys. The team used maps and radios to find their way to an extraction point during a personnel recovery exercise.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

01.23.2015

Story by Sgt. Jesse Smith 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea – A Soldier was in a group of vehicles during a deployment and on the way to his destination was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was the only survivor. He was scared, confused and had no idea what to do. Would you?

This kind of situation is exactly what Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Young, an aviation mission survivability officer with the Co. C, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, trained Soldiers Jan. 22 on Camp Humphreys to be prepared for.

Young said that they try to introduce Soldiers to real-life situations where they could become isolated.

“This training maximizes their chances for recovery,” Young said.

The Soldiers started off the day receiving maps and different types of communication devices. Young went through each piece of equipment and explained its use.

The Soldiers had been broken into teams and had to help each learn all of the information and tactics to be able to survive on their own.

Young led a group that included Pvt. Kimani J. Robinson, a Soldier with the 2nd CAB. He said he had never done any training like this before and learned a lot from the experience.

“If I was ever put in this scenario, I would be confident that I could use my equipment,” Robinson said.

The team moved to multiple grid points on Camp Humphreys at which they were given different situations and had to figure the best choice to survive.

In some personnel recovery events, isolated Soldiers may need to be hoisted up to a helicopter due to terrain or enemy forces nearby during a rescue. At the end of the training Robinson, along with Pfc. Walter T.P. Tharp, a signal support specialist with the Co. C, 3rd GSAB, was able to participate in such a hoist for training purposes.

“I have never done anything like that before,” Tharp said.

The hoist is definitely the most enjoyable part of the training for the Soldiers Young said. They get to be pulled 25 feet into the air and strapped into a helicopter.

Young said that this training keeps Soldiers alive and that everyone should go through these exercises. You never know when you will find yourself in a situation and have to keep yourself alive.

• Date Taken: 01.23.2015
• Date Posted: 01.23.2015 01:57
• Story ID: 152524
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR