MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- “Ditching, ditching, ditching!” The Marines braced for impact as the water rushed through the floor, doors, and windows. Within seconds, the entire crew emerged from the water, unharmed in the simulated helicopter crash.
Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion went through the Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Sept. 26.
Following the 1999 crash of a Marine Corps CH-46 helicopter into the water, the Corps came to the conclusion that Marines would greatly benefit from more training for such situations. With that, the Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer, also known as the helo dunker, was born.
The training is critical due to the high volume of Marines who are transported in helicopters every day, and the possibility that they will need the skills to escape.
“We need to train for everything in case an accident, or something of that nature happens,” said Sgt. Gregory Stewart, a Light Armored Vehicle crewman with the unit. “We need to learn how to survive, escape and get to the surface safely.”
Marines go through three stations in the training. They include the emergency breathing station, where they learn proper and safe underwater breathing techniques. After that, the shallow water egress trainer chair, which orients Marines to being upside down and escaping in the water, and finally, the the modular egress trainer.
“It helps us establish a crawl, walk, run approach,” said Robert Pitchford, a retired First Sergeant and current program manager at the training center. “We really try to develop the principles and fundamentals before they get into the egress trainer.”
The training is designed to provide familiarity and muscle memory to Marines in case a situation arises where they have to escape from a downed helicopter in water.
“While nothing will ever accurately replicate a helicopter crash, this is the closest they will get,” said Pitchford. “With this training, we expose them to as many types of possible scenarios that they may face.”
For many of the Marines, it is their first time going through this kind of training, which is a requirement for various units who are preparing for a deployment.
“You don’t have to be an excellent swimmer to benefit from and pass this training,” said Stewart. “You just need to remain calm and remember what you were taught.”
As a force in readiness, Marines need to be prepared for anything and this training undoubtedly gives them the skills they need to make it home alive.
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