Carter Hall stays medically ready

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Chelsea Mandello | Sailors fight a simulated fire during a general quarters drill aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Carter Hall is deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Mandello/Released)  

ATLANTIC OCEAN, USAFRICOM, AT SEA

03.16.2013

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsea Mandello 

Amphibious Squadron Four

ATLANTIC OCEAN – Sailors and Marines conducted a mass casualty drill on the flight deck aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) March 16.

The mass casualty exercise trains Sailors and Marines to rapidly respond to medical emergencies following a disaster.

“Today we conducted a mass casualty drill which trains the crew and medical department how to respond to an emergency involving more than one casualty,” said Lt. Heather Soloria, a medical officer aboard Carter Hall.

From burns to compound fractures, the scenarios required immediate response to effectively assess the amount of victims, damage and necessary medical treatment.

“As a stretcher bearer, we have to respond quickly to medical and then to the location in need,” said Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Shawna Fitzgerald. “In this event we were trained how to wrap and bandage open wounds, smoke inhalation, compound fractures and a stomach evisceration.”

Marines from the 26th MEU participated as the injured victims by wearing plastic “wounds” to simulate injuries.

“Overall this was a good exercise that helped the crew train for medical emergencies during a combat environment,” said Lance Cpl. Devin Henry. “Marines and sailors were able to come together and respond quickly to the mass casualty event.”

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSG ARG) includes Amphibious Squadron 4 (PHIBRON), amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The group is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4 or USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), visit: www.navy.mil/local/phibron4/
http://www.facebook.com/USSCarterHall?ref=hl

• Date Taken: 03.16.2013
• Date Posted: 03.19.2013 05:15
• Story ID: 103707
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN, USAFRICOM, AT SEA