Ryukyu Warrior 12: Corpsman train with field lab

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock | Navy corpsmen perform immediate trauma training on here Dec. 1 for the Ryukyu Warrior 12 exercise. Immediate trauma training consists of checking vital signs, checking for deformities, managing shock, and assessing gunshot wounds. The corpsmen are with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.01.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - As Ryukyu Warrior 12, an annual Marine Air Command and Control System training exercise, kicks off Marines and sailors of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 begin simulated training exercises on the island of Ie Shima to prepare for real world exercises. While Marines conduct numerous training exercises preparing for combat, Navy corpsmen train to save Marines.

Ryukyu warrior gives squadrons and agencies within 1st Marine Aircraft Wing the opportunity to be involved in group simulated exercises. It was the perfect exercise for corpsman of MWSS-172 to bring out and set up a lab and an X-ray tent for the first time, said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class, Surface Warfare Fleet Marine Force, Vito R. Dipiazza, a corpsman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172.

“We heard close to 500 Marines were going to be on deck,” said Dipiazza. “It was sheer statistics that the lab and an x-ray tent would be beneficial to the Marines of Ryukyu Warrior 12.”

Having a lab with x-ray capabilities in the field greatly reduces the number of Marines being medically evacuated out of the area.

“If a Marine gets injured during physical training, instead of automatically evacuating that Marine, we can do in-field x-rays to assess how serious the situation is,” said Dipiazza.

With the many different exercises executed during Ryukyu warrior, the extra medical equipment and medical personal are also required.

“This is my first experience with my lab in the field,” said Hospital Corpsman First Class Yusupha Kah, a lab technician with Marine Wing Support Group 17. “I am excited to see my equipment up and running in a field exercise, it is a great learning experience for me.”

Aside from the lab and x-ray capabilities for Ryukyu Warrior 12, the corpsman also have two ambulances, full sick call capabilities, and the ability to call Marine Aircraft Group 36 in case of medical evacuation.

“We prepare for the worst, so we train for the worst,” said Dipiazza. “Our number one priority is to help those who are sick, and do our best not to get anyone else sick in the process.”

So far, during Ryukyu Warrior 12, the corpsmen have been involved with many different situations from routine sick calls and injuries, to pregnancy tests, and full medical evacuations.

“It is reassuring to know we have our corpsman, especially in the field,” said Lance Cpl. Erik T. Muskavitch, a radar technician with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, who suffered a minor injury in the field during Ryukyu warrior 12.

According to Dipiazza, the big test for the corpsman of Ryukyu Warrior 12 comes towards the end of the exercise when they will be involved in a massive casualty drill that will simulate corpsman getting injured marines out of the field and to a medical facility.

“My ultimate goal is for my corpsman to get the training they need to feel comfortable in an actual deployed environment, said Dipiazza.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2011
• Date Posted: 12.14.2011 00:11
• Story ID: 81327
• Location: OKINAWA, JP