Symposium displays high-tech training devices

Photo By Matthew Manning | Marines set up security after exiting the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer during a drill at Camp Hansen April 23. The Marines are with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.20.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew Manning 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Department of Defense contractors and Marines with Combat Camera held a training symposium at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster April 18.

The symposium informed units on Okinawa about the training devices combat camera, part of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and DOD contractors have to offer.

“The training symposium shows what ground-training simulators are available for Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific,” said Bob R. Ledyard, the training systems liaison officer with Marine Corps Systems Command on Camp Hansen.

The symposium was open to all service members interested in the wide variety of high-tech training devices available.

“We have three major types of devices on Camp Hansen and Camp Foster,” said Anthony F. Woodard, the quality assurance evaluator for Combat Camera. “We have the virtual training devices, which include convoy simulators and deployable virtual training environments. We have the egress trainers where we teach Marines how to exit aircraft and vehicles when they are flipped over or submerged in water. For field-training exercises, we have contractors who offer simulated improvised explosive devices and weapons that fire simulation ammunition.”

By talking with the contractors, Marines saw how different training devices, such as simulated improvised explosive devices, could provide a safe training environment for their respective units.
“(The simulated IED) uses carbon dioxide and powder to simulate an explosion,” said Carlos Carrasco, an instructor with Katmai Simulation and Training on Camp Hansen. “There are no pyrotechnics involved.”

Katmai Simulation and Training offers training equipment, which simulates roadside bombs, as well as a simulated explosive vests, according to Carrasco.

“We train Marines so they can train their units,” said Carrasco. “We do not get into the tactics they will be using, but we instruct them on how the gear should be used. It only takes a five minute class for us to show someone how to properly use the gear.”

Safety is not the only advantage many of the training devices have to offer.

“The biggest plus in having this type of training is the amount of money we can save by not actually having to use the (actual) equipment, ammunition or fuel,” said Woodard. “When we use our supporting arms virtual trainer, Marines are able to practice making calls for fire without needing an F/A-18 Hornet flying overhead, burning fuel, and dropping ordnance.”

The simulators, like the SAVT, enable Marines to get the same experience from a virtual environment as they would from a field-training exercise at less cost to the Marine Corps, said Ledyard.

“Saving the Marine Corps money and resources, as well as providing a safe training environment, is a huge benefit to the Marine Corps and should not be passed up while on Okinawa,” said Woodard.

• Date Taken: 04.20.2012
• Date Posted: 04.26.2012 21:20
• Story ID: 87420
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP