Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | Marines of Truck Company Alpha, Headquarters Battalion, simulate exiting from the top...... read more read more
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“ROLL! ROLL! ROLL!” – That was the only warning four Marines receive to brace themselves for the disorienting turbulence. Smoke whisked inside the vehicle, and the feeling of nausea grew each time the vehicle tumbled. Within seconds, the heat was over, and without hesitation, the Marines quickly communicated and set security around the simulator.
Marines of Truck Company Alpha, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, participated in the High-Mobility, Multi-purpose, Wheeled Vehicle Egress Assistance Trainer, at the 1st Marine Division Licensing training compound Feb. 24.
The inside of HEAT is designed like a four-passenger Humvee. The machine simulates rollovers by rotating to the left or right. Two trainers control the direction and speed of the machine, and can stop either upside-down or sideways, allowing trainers to simulate numerous scenarios. Trainers can even designate only one exit, making egression and casualty evacuation more difficult.
“The purpose of the HEAT training is to familiarize the Marines with vehicle rollovers,” said Sgt. Adrian Salas, HEAT trainer of Truck Company A. “We give them different scenarios and the ideal response for each different one.”
Scenarios ranging from a flipped Humvee with one exit-point, to a simulated, improvised, explosive-device attack with multiple casualties are simulated during HEAT. The simulations are designed to give Marines an idea of the different scenarios that occur frequently during deployments and even in the everyday operational field.
Each Marine is expected to respond quickly and communicate clearly during any scenario they encounter, Salas said.
“Quick response and communication are important, because it’s a group effort,” said Sgt. John Hogan, a section leader of Truck Company A. “You have to be able to communicate with the Marines in the vehicle so when the rollover is done, they know who’s doing the security and evacuating the casualty.”
Security and casualty care are two of the biggest concerns after any rollover situation. Marines have to be ready to provide immediate cover fire against an ambush and quickly care for any casualties.
“We also went through combat lifesaver steps to make sure the Marines know proper procedures of casualty response,” Hogan said.
Marines refreshed their combat lifesaver skills, reiterating skills like applying a tourniquet, searching for wounds and treating shock.
“It’s important to be able to simulate these scenarios so once Marines get to a combat environment, its all muscle memory,” Hogan said.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2011 12:19 |
| Story ID: | 66418 |
| Location: | CA, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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