IWAKUNI, Japan - Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 Motor Transportation Company practiced combat procedures in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Egress Trainer at building 268 here, Feb. 20, 2013.
The training simulator is made to represent an MRAP Cat II Cougar 6X6 rolling over, whether by an Improvised Explosive Device or by accident.
“This vehicle is a top-heavy vehicle, so at 28 degrees it will begin to flip,” said Manuel Rendon, MRAP Egress Trainer instructor, operator and maintainer. “The purpose of the training is to show Marines what 28 degrees is, on the left and right side, and as it begins to roll, prepare them for that actual roll.”
The MET holds 11 Marines: a driver, co-driver, eight passengers and a gunner in the gunner’s nest. All the seats are fortified with five-point seat belt harnesses, plus a full-body harness for the gunner.
“I did recovery missions in Iraq in 2005 and we had a Humvee roll over where there was a Marine we couldn’t get out,” said Rendon. “The military discovered that these accidents could be prevented.”
Marines practiced evacuating the MET, providing security and getting the injured away from danger.
“I control how the MET moves and how far it turns at the front of the machine,” said Rendon. “I can see what goes on inside with the four cameras posted inside.”
For some Marines, this was their first time being in, or even near, a MET.
“I honestly didn’t know what to expect,” said Pfc. Ashley Ackermann, MWSS-171 motor-T vehicle operator. “It was chaotic and nobody knew what was going on... I definitely feel more prepared after doing this.”
At the end of each session, the Marines would get together to discuss what they did and didn’t do.
Rendon said he tells Marines to check how to get in, how to get out and to check their surroundings because there may come a time where they need to execute an evacuation.
“This machine gives you a small taste of what to expect,” said Ackermann. “There are several ways that a Humvee can roll over.”
According to the MET course outline binder, serious injuries to gunners have dropped by 80 percent due to the training. The MET is available for use by any unit.