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    Japan, US conduct bilateral casualty evacuation rehearsals

    Japan, US conduct bilateral casualty evacuation rehearsals

    Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot Capt. Masanori Okazaki shows Marines and Navy...... read more read more

    CAMP FUJI, AICHI, JAPAN

    11.10.2011

    Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Brooks 

    III Marine Expeditionary Force   

    CAMP FUJI, Japan - Marines and corpsmen conducted bilateral casualty evacuation rehearsals with members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Camp Fuji Nov. 9.

    The rehearsals were conducted by the Marines and corpsmen of 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, during Artillery Relocation Training Program 11-3 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area.

    This is the second time 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, and the JASDF, has conducted this type of bilateral training. The rehearsals ensured both units would be prepared in the case of an emergency.

    “The training was conducted so that, in the event a casualty needs to be evacuated, the Marines, sailors and our JASDF allies are prepared,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class David J. Long, a corpsman with the battalion.

    During the training, the Marines learned a variety of skills critical in evacuation situations. Marines reviewed essential carries and drags used to remove a casualty from imminent danger. Techniques reviewed were the arm, chair and fireman’s carries.

    Along with the carries, Marines were shown how to properly use a litter to transport a casualty from the point of injury to the evacuation site. According to Long, this is the most crucial part of a casualty evacuation.

    “The litter needs to be properly carried to prevent further injury to the victim,” said Long.

    The litter must be carried using preparatory and execution commands. Coordination between the Marines was the key to success, Long said.

    “While transporting the litter into this helicopter, it is important to approach at a 90-degree angle to avoid the blades,” said Long. “The approach varies depending on the aircraft.”

    The aircraft the JASDF used to evacuate the casualties for this rehearsal was the UH-1 helicopter, said Capt. Masanori Okazaki, a pilot with the East Army Helicopter Squadron, JASDF. Okazaki has been flying with the squadron for 15 years.

    “This was a great opportunity to learn how Marines conduct these drills,” said Okazaki. “Learning how the Marines operate is good to know in case an accident does occur.”

    Okazaki’s unit often conducts training similar to the battalion’s, but this rehearsal provided a unique experience.

    “This was a different experience for me because I had to communicate with the Marines in order to secure the casualty in the helicopter,” he said.

    The Marines and Japanese both learned many valuable lessons about how to evacuate casualties.

    “This training is important so that in the event of an injury, everything goes smoothly and the casualty gets out safe,” said
    Sgt. Jesus G. Ortega, an ammunition chief with the battalion.

    Ortega said this was a great opportunity for him and his Marines because it is not every day they get to train with Japanese soldiers.

    “I hope in the future, we can continue these valuable joint-training opportunities that help both countries be prepared,” Okazaki said.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.10.2011
    Date Posted: 11.18.2011 00:13
    Story ID: 80203
    Location: CAMP FUJI, AICHI, JP

    Web Views: 31
    Downloads: 0

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