GREENVILLE, N.C. — The “Roadrunners” with Marine Transport Squadron 1’s search and rescue teams train hard every day to maintain muscle memory and keep their skills fresh.
Marines and sailors of VMR-1 worked on their communication skills when they conducted Doppler training, March 1.
“In today’s training the crew chief is tasked with directing the pilot to a pick-up a simulated casualty,” said Cpl. Corey Showers, the search and rescue non-commissioned officer in charge with VMR-1. “When a pilot is above water they have to deal with the illusion of moving backwards because the rotor wash from the helicopter makes it feel like they are moving.
“That is where the crew chief comes in. While he is lowering a swimmer down he is also talking to the pilot letting him know when to move forward, left or right.”
Also during the training the crew took a trip to Greenville, N.C. to conduct a few roof top landings on the helicopter pad at Vidant Medical Center.