Photo By Liesl Marelli | Sgt. 1st Class Frankie Gomez (left), guides Sgt. Shawn Miller into the pool during a...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Liesl Marelli
Colorado Army National Guard
Soldiers are trained to save lives, whether it is the life of another or their own, no matter where and when it is needed. In order for them to condition their minds to react quickly in life-threatening situations, they must train for the worst and hope for the best.
Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Colorado National Guard 8th Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction), based at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo., conducted water survival training at a local pool, Jan. 14.
Upon arrival they began emptying their pockets. It would have been a bad day for anyone to accidentally swim with their cell phone.
Instructing the Soldiers and Airmen were two Special Forces divers assigned to 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Colorado Army National Guard.
The troops huddled to hear their first task.
Wearing their full uniform, minus boots and socks, they would make a flotation device using their uniforms three different ways.
In small groups, they jumped in and started attempting at what had appeared to be a simple task.
"I think it was pretty hard," said Sgt. Shawn Miller. "You use your arms a lot to stay [afloat] and you take those away to do what you have to do."
Floating may not appear to be difficult, but having to remove the pants, tie up the legs and fill the pants through the waist line with air was much harder than it sounded.
Miller was amazed how airtight the wet uniform became in water.
Once they successfully created the flotation device, they could relax, catch their breath and float calmly in the water.
Another task to perform was the buddy assisted swim.
They were faced with different rescues ranging from an unconscious victim to a fighting victim who could end up drowning them.
The Special Forces instructors showed them how to position the victim while swimming ashore and also how to create distance from the victim if they begin fighting.
The biggest challenge of the day was the blinded jump with their dummy M16 rifle off of the five meter high dive.
One-by-one they climbed up the diving board, blindfolded themselves, were handed a dummy rifle and stepped closer and closer to the edge until they heard, "Take one big step forward, put your feet together and keep your hands above your head."
One deep breath and big step later, they were airborne.
"I thought it was pretty scary because you can't see where you are going to land, and you can't tell what angle you are [going to hit the water]," said Miller.
Despite the fear, he said he thinks all Soldiers should do it because it helps you learn to not freak out when facing an unknown.
"It's always good to get outside your [comfort zone] every now and then," said Gomez.
After the excitement of the high dive, the Soldiers continued with confidence training wearing their regular gear in water. As a Civil Support Team, they are required to wear chemical suits, called Tyvek or Kappler suits, in many potentially harmful environments. The team is equipped with very advanced gear to protect them from hazardous chemicals.
Gomez wanted the troops to build extra confidence in their gear by having them go in water in the suits – one Soldier would be in a Level A and one would be in a Level B suit.
Miller went in the water in his Level A suit, which is the highest level of vapor and splash protection that is provided for Hazardous Material and Weapons of Mass Destruction personnel. He also had a self-contained breathing apparatus.
"The suit was very dry inside," he said. "It was very peaceful floating around in it."
Miller said the lack of outside noise and the pressure of the water around his air-tight suit felt like a form fitting bed.
While the team has never had to conduct real-world missions in water, they do have a maritime mission where they may have to board boats.
The Soldiers and Airmen of the CST left the training with additional confidence in themselves, their gear and can use this training no matter the uniform they wear.
"We not only may have to save lives in combat, but there may come a time when we may be put in a situation to save lives of our fellow citizens," Gomez said.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.16.2009 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 28932 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 713 |
| Downloads: | 580 |
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