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Mass Casualty Drill Readies ESG 5 Medical for Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060727-08
Release Date: 7/27/2006 3:23:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Miller, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, USS Boxer’s (LHD 4) medical department and medical personnel with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) tested their capabilities during a mass casualty drill aboard Boxer July 20.

The drill directly supported simulated Marine casualties that occurred during a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) training at a simulated embassy compound on Camp Pendleton, Calif.

During the NEO training, a simulated terrorist attack injured five Marines. Hospital corpsmen with the Mass Casualty Response Team (MCRT), assigned to the Health Services Detachment of Combat Logistics Battalion 15 and attached to the 15th MEU, were the first to respond.

“There’s a lot of confusion, but you expect it,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher Nehlen, a native of Greenville, Pa., and the leading petty officer and triage officer of the MCRT. “We are trained to expect the unexpected. No matter how much you train, it’s always different.”

After being treated by the MCRT, the wounded Marines were evacuated by helicopter to Boxer. Once aboard, the Marines were immediately cared for by Boxer, FST 5 and 15th MEU medical personnel.

“The main reason for the mix of personnel was to ensure that everyone could work as a team,” said Boxer Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Patrick Dabuet, who joined the Navy from Mindanao, Philippines. “When time is of the essence, you don’t want to be guessing what the other people working with you will do. This drill helped us work as a well-oiled machine.”

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Josh Oletski, a native of Castlerock, Colo., platoon corpsman for the Force Reconnaissance Detachment of the Maritime Special Purpose Force attached to the 15th MEU aboard Boxer, had never experienced a shipboard mass casualty drill.

“Everyone here was really supportive and receptive,” said Oletski. “These guys are on the ball.”

Along with training, the mass casualty drill was used to evaluate on-board medical response capabilities.

“This training was more intense than usual,” added Dabuet. “It’s a good learning environment.”

The combination of different elements working together during the drill is vital in preparing for their upcoming deployment. It was the first medical evolution aboard Boxer to actively integrate Sailors and Marines.

“We are way ahead as far as integration,” said Cmdr. Scott Cota, Lemoore, Calif., Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5 surgeon and FST 5 officer-in-charge. “The synergy between the Navy and Marines is amazing. Clinically, we are ready to deploy now.”

Boxer, the 15th MEU and FST 5 are all part of ESG 5, which is participating in their Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California while preparing for a Western Pacific Deployment scheduled later this year.

For related news, visit the USS Boxer (LHD 4) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.