Photo By Sgt. Daniel Valle | Marines with Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 take a deep breath before submerging in...... read more read more
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OKINAWA, Japan - Marines with Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 participated in intermediate passenger helicopter aircrew breathing device training at the Camp Hansen Aquatic Center, Feb. 28.
The training is intended to familiarize Marines with proper evacuation techniques using the IPHABD in the event a mishap occurs in water.
“The unit is going through familiarization training for the IPHABD, which is the self-contained air supply, in case the aircraft has to make an emergency ditch,” said Sgt. Maj. Scott D. Hamm, squadron sergeant major of HMM-262. “This way they know the procedures to safely egress from the aircraft.”
HMM-262 has multiple deployments in the future and needs this training to ensure operations run smoothly, according to Hamm.
“We have deployments coming up aboard ship so at that point all of our squadrons that deploy will be able to fly in our helicopters and will know the safety procedures and prevent losing the life of a Marine in the event of a crash,” said Hamm.
IPHABD training is a test of nerves as well as knowledge, according to Warrant Officer Sarah N. Bungard, a maintenance material control officer with HMM-262.
“We learned how to breath using the IPHABD, which is really a test of seeing how you can relax and still operate the device properly,” said Bungard. “It’s kind of difficult to get your mind programmed to breathing while you are underwater, but the Marines are doing a great job and they have the techniques down.”
It is important for any Marine that may be a passenger in a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter, or any aircraft, to be able to use this device, according to Bungard.
“This training is great; it puts you at ease,” said Bungard. “Instead of just jumping on an aircraft and not knowing what to do if something happens, it gives you the knowledge you need to survive.”
“It is important for our unit because we are a CH-46 unit, which means we will be traveling over water we will know how to safely escape the aircraft,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2012 19:06 |
| Story ID: | 85512 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 695 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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