Combat Logistics Battalion 26 trains in non-combatant evacuation operations

Photo By Sgt. Juanenrique Owings | A simulated evacuee is given medical treatment by a U.S. Sailor assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), while training in non-combatant evacuation operations in the well deck of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), at sea, Aug. 16, 2013. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juanenrique Owings, 26th MEU Combat Camera/Released)  

USS SAN ANTONIO, USCENTCOM, AT SEA

08.16.2013

Story by 1st Lt. Gerard Farao 

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)     

USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea – U.S. Marines assigned Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted training in non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) aboard the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), at sea, August 16, 2013.

The training consisted of setting up a mock evacuation control center (ECC) in the well deck of the USS San Antonio.

A non-combatant evacuation operation is one of the many contingency operations that a Marine Expeditionary Unit is capable of conducting, and in order to give realism to their training, role-player were used as simulated evacuees, some role-players pretended to be sick and required medical attention, and others pretended to be little kids, old men, and pregnant women.

“We are conducting non-combatant evacuation training to exercise the knowledge we learned during pre-deployment training,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Shannon, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of NEO, assigned to CLB 26, 26th MEU. “It’s a good refresher, and using the well-deck gave us the space needed to set up a mock evacuation control center.”

The need for sustainment training in NEO also resonated with 1st Lt. Shane Cooley, NEO officer in charge, assigned to CLB 26, 26th MEU.

“It has been since February that we last trained in non-combatant evacuation operations,” said Cooley. “With the LCAC’s (landing craft, air cushion) out of the well deck we have enough space to get meaningful training. We are able to set up a mock evacuation control center where we can practice processing American citizens and other evacuees out of any country where a NEO is requested and into a safe-haven location.”

The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations.

• Date Taken: 08.16.2013
• Date Posted: 08.17.2013 13:17
• Story ID: 112170
• Location: USS SAN ANTONIO, USCENTCOM, AT SEA