Helo dunk: Marines learn to survive
1/7/2011
By
Cpl. Elyssa Quesada
,
11th MEU
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.
Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit learned how to escape a sinking aircraft during a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course here Jan. 6 and 7.
The two-day course provides military personnel with the skills necessary to egress a sinking helicopter and survive at sea until rescued, according to Aaron Gregoroff, lead MAET instructor.
On Dec. 9, 1999, a CH-46 Sea Knight with the 15th MEU crashed during a training exercise. The helicopter became entangled in the safety netting around the ship, and fell into the water claiming the lives of six Marines and one sailor.
“The seven that were lost that day is why this training is here,” said Michael “Scott” Archer, a survivor of the 1999 training accident.
During the classroom portion of the course, students learned how to properly exit a sinking CH-46 or CH-53 Super Stallion aircraft and how to use the Intermediate Passenger Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device, which is similar to a small scuba tank that provides up to two minutes of compressed air.
“The training is designed for deploying units and any Marine who will find themselves flying over a body of water,” said John Schulte, the site manager.
After classes, the students hit the pool to apply their training. In the water, the students performed different exit techniques inside the egress trainer, or helo dunker.
“The first day in the water was awesome,” said Sgt. Ako A. Singletary, 33, a switchboard operator with the unit. “After a few dunks, you believe in the gear and the techniques, then it all becomes muscle memory.”
The dunker is lowered into the pool and turned upside down to imitate a submerged helicopter following a crash.
“The instructors made everything quite simple,” said Singletary, from Miami, Fla. “I feel prepared. After attending this training, I am confident I would be able to get myself out of a submerged helicopter and possibly help out other Marines.”
The MEU Marines attended the course as part of their annual training in preparation for their upcoming deployment.
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Aaron Gregoroff, lead Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course instructor, describes a slide during a presentation to Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Combat Logistics Battalion 11 as it pertains to the two-day course here Jan. 6. The course provides military personnel with the skills necessary to coordinate an egress from a sinking helicopter and survive at sea until rescued. , Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/6/2011 5:20 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -Chris Malesh, a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course instructor, explains to the Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Combat Logistics Battalion 11 the proper way to exit a submerged helicopter here Jan. 7. During the classroom portion of the course, students learn how to properly exit a sinking CH-46 Sea Knight or CH-53 Super Stallion aircraft and how to use the Intermediate Passenger Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device, which is similar to a small scuba tank that provides up to two minutes of compressed air. , Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 4:54 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Chris Malesh, a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course instructor, talks to Marines with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit after they escaped a submerged CH-46 Sea Knight Jan. 7. The two-day course provides military personnel with the skills necessary to coordinate an egress from a ditched helicopter and survive at sea until rescued., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 8:35 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Combat Logistics Battalion 11 are submerged to simulate escaping a CH-46 Sea Knight during a crash in water here Jan. 7. The Marines learn how to properly exit a sinking CH-46 or CH-53 Super Stallion aircraft and how to use the Intermediate Passenger Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device, which is similar to a small scuba tank that provides up to two minutes of compressed air., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 8:26 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-The Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course teaches Marines and sailors how to escape from a submerged helicopter Jan. 7. As the helo dunker is submerged under water, Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Combat Logistics Battalion 11 make their way out of the helicopter through emergency exits located throughout the simulated aircraft. , Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 8:23 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-Staff Sgt. Paul D. Daly, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit antiterrorism force protection chief, emerges from a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer exercise here Jan. 7. As the helo dunker is submerged underwater, a group of six Marines inside made their way out of the helicopter trainer through one of the emergency exits located in the simulated aircraft. The two-day course provides military personnel with the skills necessary to coordinate an egress from a ditched helicopter and survive at sea until rescue., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 8:21 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -Michael "Scott" Archer, a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course instructor, explaines the proper techniques to enter and maintain a life raft and how to survive at sea until rescued here Jan. 7. , Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 8:00 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-On day two of the Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course, Marines don part of their combat load including a life preserver unit, flak and a rifle as part of a training exercise here Jan. 7. The course teaches Marines and sailors how to escape from a submerged helicopter utilizing an Intermediate Passenger Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device, which is similar to a small scuba tank that provides up to two minutes of compressed air. , Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 7:50 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -Life preserver units are ready for Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Combat Logistics Battalion 11 to use during the Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course here Jan. 7., Cpl. Elyssa Quesada, 1/7/2011 7:51 AM
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-The Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer course teaches Marines and sailors how to escape from a submerging helicopter Jan. 7. As the helo dunker is submerged under water, Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Combat Logistics Battalion 11 make their way out of the helicopter through emergency exits located throughout the simulated aircraft. , Capt. Roger Hollenbeck , 1/6/2011 7:51 AM
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