Field exercise sharpens sailors’ skills, assesses first-timers

Photo By Pfc. Franklin Mercado | Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group dismount a simulated casualty from their Mobile Trauma Bay during a field exercise at Landing Zone Lark aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 2, 2011. The battalion used the five-day exercise to reacquaint itself with a deployed environment.  

JACKSONVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

11.03.2011

Story by Pfc. Franklin Mercado 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines and sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group participated in a field exercise at Landing Zone Lark aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.

The battalion used the time to reacquaint itself with a deployed environment. The five-day exercise included patrols, simulated improvised explosive device training, ambushes by insurgents and treating wounded patients for an array of injuries.

The training had an extra sense of importance because of the amount of sailors who never deployed or participated in a field exercise, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Figgeroa, a hospital corpsman and lead petty officer with the battalion operations section.

“A lot of the sailors here haven’t been to the field,” he said. “Since it’s their first time in this type of environment, the training is critical.”

The training was so crucial to the battalion even Navy Capt. Cameron L. Waggoner, the commanding officer for 2nd Med. Bn, participated.

As the sailors waited for simulated casualties to arrive at their position, Waggoner fell to the ground with a fake snake bite. Once on the ground, he began to yell for help and waited for assistance.

Corpsmen sprung to action and put their training to the test thoroughly and quickly checking their patient for any weapons or contraband. As soon as they finished patting him down, the litter team transported their simulated victim to a tent where all medical procedures were conducted.

“You have to keep them on their feet one way or another,” Waggoner said.

Though he’s been the battalion’s commanding officer for a short period of time, he’s made his presence felt, mentioned Figgeroa.

“Since he’s been here we’ve seen he’s very hands-on,” he said. “Not many other commanders will fall to the ground and fake an injury for the purpose of the exercise.”

The battalion began their training priming Charlie Company for its deployment scheduled for next year.

With their commanding officer spreading the hands-on attitude, the battalion will undoubtedly put forth their best effort to be ready to support their comrades in Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2011
• Date Posted: 11.04.2011 11:23
• Story ID: 79557
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US