MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - More than 100 Marines from Marine Corps Air Station New River trained with Cherry Point Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines on the Mobile Aircraft Firefighting Training Device during the shipboard firefighting training at the Cherry Point ARFF burn pit June 25-27.
The shipboard firefighting training is required for every Marine before they deploy with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"It is important to do this training before we deploy so we have a basic understanding of what is going on before we get to the ship," said Capt. Richard M. Savage, Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263.
In order to deploy, each Marine must know what to do when a fire occurs on a ship.
"It is important for everyone on board to have fire fighting skills when we go to the ship," said Savage. "We never know where we are going to be or what is going to happen in a dynamic environment."
Firefighting skills on ship are not only useful for all Marines to know, but there are a limited number of ARFF Marines who are attached with them. Should a fire happen on board, there are more resources available.
"When you are out at sea, you can't call the fire department or 911," said Petty Officer 1st Class Charles R. Ellis, a shipboard training instructor. "It is everybody's job to protect the ship and make sure everybody gets back safely."
While this training is only the beginning of the required training for pre-deployment, the Marines must pass the qualification before they are allowed to board the ships.
The 22nd MEU is set to deploy early next year.