‘Death Dealer’ Company simulates attack to increase soldiers’ readiness

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with Company D, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center help a simulated casualty onto a litter during a mass-casualty training exercise, June 23, at Joint Security Station Deason, Iraq. The casualty was one of many treated during the exercise, which tested the preparedness of Company D to handle such an event. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Michael McClain)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.07.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 2nd Lt. Patrick Leroy Beaudry
2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division

BAGHDAD—Soldiers with Company D “Death Dealers,” 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center conducted a mass casualty drill, June 23, at Joint Security Station Deason, Iraq, to learn what to do in the event of such an emergency.

“You can’t replicate real battlefield stress, but you can get fairly close,” said Sgt. Ricardo Maldonado, a platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt. and a Vacaville, Calif., native, who worked with explosive ordinance disposal personnel to simulate a real attack.

At approximately 9 p.m., the first of three artillery simulators exploded within the borders of JSS Deason. The telltale whistle and loud bang that followed triggered the alarm and sent the entire JSS into action.

Smoke grenades were thrown into the mix, making accountability more difficult and increasing the stress of the event for all the soldiers involved. Pre-planned “casualties” throughout the JSS added to the commotion by dropping where they were and loudly crying for assistance. Soldiers then worked in teams to move their “wounded” comrades either to the aid station or the casualty collection point, depending on the severity of the injury, for a pre-planned medical evacuation.

Throughout all the chaos, Capt. Michael McClain, commander of Company D, and a Johnstown, Pa., native, tested and evaluated his soldiers throughout the entire exercise.

“I wanted to make sure the [command post] could handle the situation in my absence,” McClain said. “[The 2nd AAB surgeon] trained his medics quite well, but this drill was also a test of our company command and control structure.”

The training was meant to be a surprise, and the majority of the personnel on the JSS had no clue it was coming, except for those who would be the acting company leadership and the pre-positioned casualties.

“I was shocked,” said Spc. Benjamin White, a forward observer with Company D and a Matthews, Ala., native. “I had gone to bed after working my shift when I heard the simulators going off [and] my first thought was [that] we were under attack.”

The training proved to be useful, not only to the Death Dealer soldiers at JSS Deason, but also to their 17th Iraqi Army Division counterparts who live alongside them. The Iraqi soldiers were waiting outside the gate to offer any assistance necessary to their comrades within minutes of the first simulator going off.

The experience emphasized some key points in the relationship between the two units, McClain said. “The 17th IA Div. values our relationship a great deal, and that the Commando Battalion commander was right—they are a specially-trained force.”

As the training wound down, it was clear that the level of preparedness at JSS Deason was sufficient to handle a complex mass casualty event in the unfortunate event that one should occur.

“Overall, I would have to say it was a good job,” McClain said. “Mistakes were made here and there, but that is why we do these kinds of drills, to identify deficiencies to better prepare for the real thing.”

• Date Taken: 07.07.2011
• Date Posted: 07.07.2011 09:35
• Story ID: 73346
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ