Photo By Cpl. Manuel Estrada | Cpl. Dexter Fagan and Cpl. Thomas Newman, Marine Corps Air Station New River aircraft...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - Marine Corps Air Station New River’s Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 emergency reclamation team responded to a mishap drill for a simulated hard helicopter landing at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training pit, Feb. 24.
“A mishap drill tests the squadron’s response to an aircraft mishap,” said Capt. Mark A. Guthrie, HMH-461 aviation safety officer. “The drill also serves to highlight problem areas and points of friction within the squadron’s mishap plan. By highlighting these issues prior to an actual mishap, a squadron can more adequately respond in the event of a mishap.”
ARFF Marines received the call that an aircraft was on fire. Once they arrived to where a simulated helicopter fire was in progress, the Marines sprayed down the helicopter with the turret system on the P-19 fire trucks, and then they proceeded with a hose to extinguish the remaining fire.
Gunnery Sgt. Ken Aldredge, air station ARFF training chief, said the ARFF Marines’ part of the drill was to show the ERT Marines what to expect from Marine firefighters when there is a mishap on the flight line, along with the potential hazards at an aircraft mishap and what to look for in an emergency situation.
Guthrie said the responsibility of the ERT includes setting up security around a mishap site, assisting in keeping the integrity of the crash site as it was found and assisting in the aircraft salvage operation after the investigation is complete.
After the drill was over, the ERT Marines were brought together and discussed other possible challenges that occur during a real-life scenario with Guthrie.
He warned the Marines in the event of a mishap off base, civilians and media personnel may be there before their team gets there.
He also instructed the ERT on the process of establishing a perimeter around the mishap, by finding four objects that have traveled the farthest in four directions from the site and working inward from those points.
Another step that Guthrie reiterated to the Marines was the preservation of the site. He told the ERT that every piece of the aircraft is evidence and if any evidence gets moved it could affect the investigation.
“I feel that the drill served a good purpose,” said Guthrie. “It served as a reminder to always be prepared for a mishap.”
While the Marines continually train to prevent aircraft mishaps, they also take the time to ensure they know what to do in the event a mishap occurs, Aldredge added.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 09:59 |
| Story ID: | 84553 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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