Photo By Sgt. Anthony Ortiz | U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, undergo...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – A mounted convoy is traveling down the road when unexpectedly – “BOOM” – the lead vehicle sets off an improvised explosive device. Once the noise from the explosion subsides, all that can be heard are groans from the passengers, screaming in agony and yelling for help.
Straight ahead, a cloud of smoke billows out furiously from under the now mangled Humvee. Glancing right, one of the passengers is lying on the ground, motionless, but still crying out in pain. Then to the left, the vehicle driver stumbles out from the cloud of smoke, covered in blood from head to toe.
This is not a scene from a movie.
This was the scenario simulated for the Marines and sailors of Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group during their first responder training at Enhanced Mojave Viper, here, Sept. 6.
The purpose of this training evolution is to provide both a realistic environment and experience in order to ensure Marines and sailors are physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to react and provide medical aid in the event of an IED attack during a convoy.
“This is some of the most realistic training we can provide these men and women before they leave for deployment and possibly encounter the real deal,” explained Scott Wheeler, a counter IED subject matter expert. The most prominent threat for a convoy in Afghanistan is an IED.
The troops’ primary objective was to proficiently act as first responders – to safely approach the downed vehicle and utilize their combat lifesaver training to assess, relocate and treat the casualties – with the ultimate outcome of saving lives.
In order to maintain the unknown factor and the realistic training value, each group of 15 to 20 Marines and sailors would go through the scenario only once, unaware beforehand of the number of casualties or the types of injuries they were going to treat.
Many individuals commented about how real it all seemed, causing them to momentarily freeze-up when they reached the downed vehicle and saw the injured passengers with fake blood everywhere.
“I didn’t expect the effects to be so awesome,” said Lance Cpl. Jessica Soberon, a Marine with Transportation Support Company, from Lawrence, Mass.
“It looked too real,” continued Soberon, referring to the casualties and their simulated injuries. “My mind initially went blank [when I saw them].”
The wounded passengers were trained actors who were dressed-up by professional make-up artists to replicate the various injuries an individual could sustain if their vehicle were hit by an IED.
Injuries ranged in severity, to include burns, imbedded shrapnel, lacerations, head trauma, sucking chest wounds, and even limb amputations.
“This is probably the most valuable training, medical wise, that these Marines are going to go through,” explained Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Chrobot, a hospital corpsman and instructor who evaluated the groups as they went through the drill. “There are not many other places around that they can get the training that is going to be as effective.
“This is the only time at Mojave Viper that these units are going to be able to go through, have these actors, in this exact situation,” continued the Concord, Calif., native. “Everything else, the wounds will be very notional. This is very effective, as in, they can actually see how to properly triage and effectively take care of those patients.”
The tension and stress the troops endured was apparent as hands continued to shake uncontrollably even after the drill was complete.
“It was chaotic and hard to think,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan Avery, a Marine from T.S. Company, still shaken-up from when his group went through.
Avery, a native of Duncansville, Pa., explained how he had to really focus on one thing at a time and rely on his previous training, methodically going step-by-step, to treat the various injuries.
The role players did not hold back, but were very dynamic – yelling, constantly moving, being uncooperative, and pretending to go into shock – making it more difficult to treat their injuries.
“This is a very high pressure situation,” said Chrobot. “Our actors are very well trained, and they are going to be putting pressure on these Marines, yelling at them. That puts pressure on the Marines to go back to their training, develop that muscle memory, and effectively take care of those patients, get them back to the [casualty collection point], triage them, treat them, and then get them up to the [landing zone] for higher care. “
Overall, this training pulls troops outside their comfort zones and really affords them the opportunity to utilize their training and see what areas need more work and practice.
“This was good training,” said Soberon. “It was a really big eye-opener for how I need to prepare myself because I will probably be put in that situation in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2012 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 94470 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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