CLB-5 conducts casualty evacuation training
By Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin
12/15/2009
Marines with Company A, Combat Logistics Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, practices carrying a simulated injured Marine to safety during a CLB-5 field exercise, Dec. 9. The Marines went through the exercise numerous times to make sure they were proficient at getting a Marine situated onto a helicopter in a timely manner. Since most of the operational focus has shifted to Afghanistan, most training is based off of the mountainous terrain there.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -A vehicle is on the road, and all of a sudden there is an explosion. Marines jump out to provide security and discover a fellow warrior is wounded. What should they do next?
That was a scenario for Marines with Company A, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group casualty evacuation training here, Dec. 9.
The 10-day field training exercise taught Marines how to properly evacuate casualties using air support.
Marines were aided by a CH-53E Super Stallion to help them with their training. As the helicopter landed, Marines grabbed the injured warrior and rushed him to the helicopter and to safety.
"This portion of the field exercise is very important," said Capt. Joshua Palis, officer in charge of Company A, CLB-5, CLR-1, 1st MLG. "It prepares Marines on how to call for air support to get a fellow Marine to a hospital and receive care."
The Marines went through the exercise numerous times to make sure they were proficient at getting a Marine situated and onto a helicopter in a timely manner.
"By having them do this over and over, it will ensure that they remember the procedures," said Palis, 26, from Garden City, N.C.
Since most of the operational focus shifted to Afghanistan, the training is based off of the mountainous terrain there.
The first hour of an injury, also know as the Golden Hour, is important because a Marine has a better chance to live if he or she receives medical care within that time limit.
Palis said evacuating Marines by air has many advantages over using vehicles. A helicopter can transport injured Marines over long distances faster than on the ground and they don&'t have to worry about moving through rough terrain.
Along with the aerial casualty evacuation training, Marines with CLB-5 also conducted other exercises like Combat Logistics Patrols and Military Operations in Urban Terrain training.
"This training will be important for when these Marines deploy," said Sgt. Anthony Grayson, Platoon sergeant, Company A, CLB-5, CLR-1, 1st MLG. "They learned how to evacuate wounded Marines and fellow sailors when they're in a combat situation," said Grayson, 24, from Scottsdale, Ariz.
Whether it's a training scenario or a real-life combat situation, Marines who participated in this training evolution left with more knowledge on how to save the lives of the one to their left and right.
jerrick.griffin@usmc.mil
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