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USS Peleliu Trains For Non-Combatant Rescues

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030522-07

Release Date: 5/22/2003 11:32:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Ben Hoisington, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

ABOARD USS PELELIU (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) train incessantly to ensure they can respond quickly and ably to any one of the ship's multiple mission requirements.

During the recent Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Exercise, Peleliu crew members participated in a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO). A NEO is the Navy and Marine Corps way of extracting civilians from a hostile environment.

Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are inserted into a hostile country, usually by helicopter, and begin the task of escorting civilians back to Peleliu where they will be sheltered, fed and cared for until they can be brought back to the United States.

"Their responsibility to the civilians is to take them out of a potentially dangerous situation," said Peleliu's administrative officer Lt. Anthony Taranto. "Whether it be a war torn country or a natural disaster, it's our job to get them to safety aboard a U.S. Navy asset."

As the civilians arrive aboard, they're escorted by Sailors through a series of check-points to get them screened and entered into the ship's administration.

"My job is to act as an escort for the civilians," said Parachute Repairman 3rd Class (AW) Angelo Whitely. "Basically I serve as a liaison between the civilians and the ship. I let them know where they need to be, where they can go to receive their food, take them to showering facilities, and help to provide them with any comforts that they need. All that, and I basically ensure that they're kept out of harm's way."

Besides helping civilians receive basic necessities, Sailor escorts go out of their way to make the temporary Peleliu residents feel safe and welcome.

"These are people that are coming from a hostile environment. They'll probably be arriving with little to none of their belongings," said Whitely. "The last thing they need when they get here is to feel like they're unwanted or a burden. So, we try to be as friendly and as easily accessible as possible to make them feel at home for the duration of their stay."

Fifty Marines played the role of civilian evacuees. As they arrived from the flight deck, they were brought through a security checkpoint before heading to a series of stations in the hangar bay. More than 100 Sailors, with administrative assistance from the 13th MEU, participated in the event, either as escorts or by performing services at screening stations. During the screening process, civilians are entered into the ship's administration logs, receive a photo identification card, have their valuables placed in storage, receive basic sanitary supplies such as clean coveralls, soap and baby items, and then pass through a medical screening.

"We screen the people as soon as they come onboard. We have a paper that outlines all of the questions for a preliminary medical screening," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/AW) Rolando Perry. "We try to give them first-rate medical care as quickly as possible. So, if they exhibit any symptoms during the preliminary screening that may signify a more serious injury or illness, we escort them immediately up to medical to receive more in-depth medical treatment."

A NEO is one of the amphibious Navy's primary missions. Peleliu is capable of supporting more than 1,000 civilians for an indefinite amount of time. During the 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Phillipines, Navy ships embarked large numbers of civilians of all ages for the two-day passage to a safe island.

This exercise is the first of several NEO training evolutions in which Peleliu Sailors and 13th MEU Marines will participate in over the next couple of months. Their ultimate goal is to reach full mission readiness during their Special Operation Capable Certification (SOCCERT) later this summer. Once these Sailors and Marines pass that final test, they'll be ready to respond to whatever situations may lie ahead during their upcoming deployment.