HEAT training is hot with 3rd Brigade Soldiers

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith | A 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldier releases himself from his seatbelt while inside the inverted HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer ("HEAT") during Up-Armored humvee training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.  

CAMP BUEHRING, AFGHANISTAN

09.06.2006

Story by Spc. Michael Alberts 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

by Spc. Mike Alberts
3rd BCT, 25th ID PAO

CAMP BEUHRING, Kuwait: Without a doubt its' safer and it's saving Soldiers' lives, but it's also heavier and more prone to rolling over. It's the Up-Armored M1114 High Mobility Multi-Purposed Wheeled Vehicle ("UA Humvee"). Soldiers from 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team will be driving them in Iraq and are training for this increased rollover risk.

Dozens of 3IBCT Soldiers experienced the Army's HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer ("HEAT") during their transition to Iraq while living at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Aug. 3-14.

UA Humvee training consists of classroom and hands-on training, according to Sgt. 1st Class Kelly W. Comstock, HEAT non-commissioned officer-in-charge 143rd Transportation Command. Classroom instruction lasts about 45 minutes and introduces Soldiers to the unique UA Humvee characteristics, rollover precaution techniques, rollover drills, and rollover egress on land and in water. At the end of the session, Soldiers take a brief written test.

Soldiers then tackle the hands-on portion of the training in the HEAT. The HEAT is essentially a machine composed of an actual UA Humvee (without the wheels) that spins 180 degrees in both directions. Comstock explained that the HEAT gives each Soldier a chance to experience an actual rollover from each position in the UA Humvee from driver to gunner, while wearing and carrying the full compliment of combat gear.

"HEAT teaches teamwork ... and builds a Soldier's confidence that the seatbelts will actually hold them safely inside the vehicle while they are rolling and upside down," said Comstock. "It also provides familiarity with the chaos that occurs when a vehicle rolls over," he continued. "It's very disorienting with ammo cans and other gear flying around inside. The training gives Soldiers the understanding that despite all this, they can actually find the combat locks, unlock them and get out of the vehicle safely."

Camp Buehring's HEAT instructors have trained over 5,400 Soldiers. To avoid injuries during training, instructors created mock foam equipment inside the HEAT to replicate actual equipment such as weapons and ammunition canisters. The consensus among 3IBCT Soldiers was that HEAT is the most valuable vehicle training they've ever received.

"Being upside down is the most challenging part because nothing is located in the same spot as before you rolled," said Pvt. Raphael J. Dozier, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3IBCT. "All Soldiers should experience this training just to see how you'd react with all the fuel, water and ammo cans and other equipment flying around. All that makes it more difficult to get out," he said.

"I knew before the training what the general responsibilities [of the vehicle occupants] were during a rollover. We did rollover drills at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin," said Sgt. 1st Class Brian K. Burgan, senior topographic analyst, HHC, 3IBCT. "But, here, we're in full combat gear and it brought to light how quickly things can fly around if they're not secured," said Burgan. "This will definitely help us develop an SOP (standard operating procedure) on tying equipment down," he said.

For Sgt. Victor Abreu, HHC, 3IBCT, the training revealed just how lucky he was during his prior deployment. "I spent a year in Iraq as a gunner in a vehicle already," said Abreu. "Nothing ever happened but I realize now that I was in a lot more danger than I thought. Now I feel a lot safer," he said.

• Date Taken: 09.06.2006
• Date Posted: 09.06.2006 11:01
• Story ID: 7628
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, AF