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For CLB-3 Mojave Viper offers training like no other

US Marine Corps News

7/22/2010
By Cpl. Paul D. Zellner II, Marine Corps Bases Japan

MARINE CORPS AIR-GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 3, III Marine Expeditionary Force combined with augmented Marines and sailors, participated in First Responder Lane Training during an Enhanced Mojave Viper pre-deployment training evolution here, July 15.

The training is designed to give Marines and sailors a chance to practice first-responder medical skills, setting up security, calling in a casualty evacuation and securing a casualty collection point.

While most of the Marines and sailors expected this sort of training to take place during Mojave Viper, they didn’t expect that the simulated casualties would be so realistic. The mock casualties used during this training evolution are real amputees dressed in Marine camouflage and, after some help from make-up artists, their wounds appeared fresh.

"When [Marines and sailors] see us actually missing limbs it brings a whole new reality to the training,” said James "Pops” Sullivan, a bilateral leg amputee, actor and role player with Strategic Operations, a company contracted by the military to provide more realistic training.

To develop the scenario, Marines patrolled on foot along a road until the sound of a simulated incoming mortar was heard, and they instinctively hit the deck. Almost instantly, cries of help could be heard from four simulated casualties inside of a mangled Humvee.

As some of the Marines established 360-degree security around the vehicle, the rest of the squad approached the wounded. For the sake of the training, most of the casualties in the vehicle had severe injuries and several amputations to one or more limbs. The Marines and sailors began to apply tourniquets and move the wounded to a secured casualty collection point approximately 50 yards away.

"This allows [trainees] to see how they’re going to respond both mentally and physically to realistic combat wounds,” said Chief John Pellior, evaluator, Tactical Training Exercise Control Group, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. "It will help prevent the shock so their reaction time will be quicker.”

While the wounded were being assessed and treated, other Marines called in a mock CASEVAC using the procedures they had been taught in a previous class. Some of the patients acted as if they were in shock and tried to fight off the Marines helping them. The training evolution is designed to continue until all of the patients have been correctly treated and are stable.

The Marines and sailors that took part in the training were evaluated by training evaluators that are stationed at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms. They received after action briefs and advice from the evaluators and medical personnel who oversee the training.

"The training overall was helpful not only to me but also for my junior Marines on their first deployment,” said Sgt. Robert Torres, military policeman and 1st squad leader, Military Police Platoon. "It helped us realize how serious these injuries can be and how to respond without the shock.”

For the role players, it’s the gratitude and feeling of being able to help that makes it all worth it.

"I’ve had a couple guys come back and find me just to tell me thank you,” said Sullivan, who lost both his legs in a construction accident. "It’s our way of giving back; otherwise we wouldn’t be out here in 110 degree heat.”

The amputees are not the only ones who are thankful for the experience to take part in the training.

"This is one of the most realistic training events I’ve ever been through,” said Torres. "This definitely enhanced our unit capabilities and small-unit leadership.”

The reinforced CLB-3 will deploy in support of 1st Marine Logistics Group (forward) to Afghanistan soon. They will be joined by more than 400 Marines and sailors augmented from Okinawa.