Motor-T Marines on Okinawa train in HEAT to keep cool in humvee rollovers

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kentavist Brackin | Pfc. Kekai A. Redo, a motor transportation operator with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, is the first of three Marines in his group to exit the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer while it was upside down, Jan. 15, on Camp Hansen.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

01.15.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Kentavist Brackin 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Kentavist Brackin
III Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa -- As part of their ongoing training for upcoming deployments seven motor transportation Marines with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, participated in the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, or HEAT course, Jan. 15, on Camp Hansen.

The Marines primarily learned the dangers of humvee roll-overs and how to react in one.

"Anybody who is riding in a tactical vehicle should get this kind of training," said Staff Sgt. Reyes M. Cesar, the staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge for the platoon. "They teach us the skills on how to drive these vehicles; they obviously should teach us how to react in a rollover."

Prior to entering the HEAT, Marines received a class showing them how the handling of humvees during combat operations often lead to rollovers like those in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. There have been more than 900 rollover accidents, according to Gregory R. Graham, a quality assurance evaluator for tactical training devices.

"The concept behind HEAT training is to make individuals more aware of rollovers, train them how to egress from a vehicle should they be in a rollover and to ensure they setup security afterward," said Graham.

After the presentation Marines donned their rifles, goggles, knee and elbow pads and split up into two groups before stepping into the trainer.

Once riders were in the HEAT, they buckled in while Graham secured and locked the doors from the outside.

After the okay from riders, Graham flipped the HEAT, turning it left, then right at 45, 90 and 180 degree angles and then completely upside down before sending the trainer through a series of revolutions that participants would later describe as something similar to the feel of a washing machine.

The group went through four different scenarios inside the trainer.

First they were flipped completely upside down with only one side door for an exit. In the second scenario they were rotated on their side with, what was originally the top hatch as the only exit and the third time was the same except now the egress point was the doors located at the top of the HEAT. The fourth scenario put the Marines back upside down, but with a casualty in their midst.

Each time the Marine's escaped the HEAT they were expected to provide 360 degree security and ensure accountability of everyone in the group.

Other obstacles were added in the scenarios as well as Gatorade bottles in the cabin simulating loose gear in a humvee as it tumbles. Smoke and gunshots were also added to the environment to provide a sense of realism and urgency.

"The reactions I got from the Marines here surprised me," Cesar said. "I honestly expected a lot more panic from the Marines, but they seemed to handle themselves pretty well and now they have a good idea what to expect if a vehicle rolls over. Hopefully they learned not to take humvees for granted; they're just as dangerous as bullets."

• Date Taken: 01.15.2009
• Date Posted: 01.26.2009 19:21
• Story ID: 29296
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP