MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Marines, Sailors and civilians gathered at Landing Zone Boondocker aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Aug. 26, 2005, to participate in an aircraft mishap drill, executed by Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 37, that was designed to prepare personnel for the unlikely event of a future aircraft accident. The drill provided essential information to base units and outside agencies about the steps that will be taken in the future, should the base experience an aircraft-related accident or incident.
The scenario that was run Friday involved a helicopter crash at LZ Boondocker. Navy Lt. Mike Therrien, at the Marine Corps Air Facility tower, initiated the drill with a call to HSL-37’s duty office.
Once the squadron was notified, their mishap plan was initiated and other units and agencies rendezvoused at the crash site.
Navy Lt. Jennifer Hardman, staff duty officer, coordinated the squadron’s response which included simulating the required voice reports and message notifications to the chain of command and outside agencies.
“We spent nearly two-weeks calling and arranging the event,” said Lt. Cmdr. Colin S. Smith, safety officer, HSL-37. “Everyone was really receptive though, and we had a good turnout of agencies.”
Personnel taking part in the mishap drill included individuals from the Provost Marshal’s Office, Public Affairs Office, Base Chaplain’s Office, Base Safety Center, Base Clinic, Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, Navy Occupational Safety and Health Department, Combat Camera, and members of HSL-37’s mishap board, led by Cmdr. Neil Karnes, the squadron’s executive officer.
During the drill, squadron members assigned to HSL-37 were assembled in the squadron’s hangar where Commanding Officer Cmdr. Patrick Molenda talked with them about the importance of the drill and the seriousness of responding correctly to aircraft mishaps. Molenda also emphasized the importance of preventing accidents.
Once everyone was on site, each agency discussed the scenario and what action they would take in the event that an actual aircraft mishap. Questions regarding the input from the representatives were asked and methods were discussed.
“In my opinion, this was an excellent drill,” said Smith, a Fairfax, Va. native. “Everyone was willing to get involved and offer suggestions that helped us form a more accurate idea of what we need to do to prepare and how to react in case of an actual emergency.”
After the initial reaction, an outline that detailed the steps that would be taken in the event of an aircraft mishap was consulted and roles were discussed, participants were given a brief on the safety gear and tools made available by HSL-37 from their mishap kit.
“Some of the best suggestions were introduced when we were discussing the mishap kit,” explained Smith. “Major items that came up were respirators and protective clothing. We don’t have enough to accommodate everyone that will be at the site, so we are taking that into consideration.”
Individuals were also reminded of the extra precautions they would have to take for other mishap scenarios, such as fuel leaking, tending to survivors, debris falling in housing areas, drifting smoke and how to respond if outside media or observers were present on the site of the mishap.
Although this was only a drill, many of the agencies that participated, as well as squadron personnel, agreed that they gained important information regarding their reaction to an actual accident — which was the intention of the mishap drill.
“I think everyone involved in the drill walked away with a little bit more knowledge than when they came,” said Smith. “The goal of the drill was for involved agencies to meet face-to-face with each other’s agency representatives and form a connection that will expedite the reaction process in case a future mishap actually occurs.”