MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With no warning they hear the harsh voice over the radio “We have two wounded and need assistance, now!” Out of pure reaction, the Marines cram into their vehicle as fast as lightning and proceed to the threat.
Marine Wing Support Squadron 171’s Quick Reaction Force trained in a simulated medical evacuation situation with combat engineers during Exercise Eagle Warrior, Aug. 28.
“The MWSS-171 QRF’s mission is to provide the squadron with a response force capable of rapidly deploying to a special threat and providing special security when deemed necessary,” said 2nd Lt. Christopher J. Tafaro, MWSS-171 base defense operations center commander.
The QRF consists of Marines from all types of military occupational specialties including military police, administration, motor transport, combat engineers, and crash fire rescue. The combination of Marines in the QRF are trained in field maneuvers and exercises testing their capability of responding to threats such as: convoy ambushes, improvised explosive devices or IED threats, medical evacuations, perimeter breaches, establishing forward arming refuel points and personnel security.
“The Marines train in different types of scenarios in order to prepare for hostile situations wherever they may arise,” said Staff Sgt. Earl D. Lopez, MWSS-171 administration chief.
In this evolution, they partook in the medical evacuation of two wounded combat engineers. The simulation consisted of combat engineers, patrolling the area, set up a security perimeter at landing zone Gander. They took fire from an opposing threat, suffering two Marine casualties. The combat engineer platoon commander immediately called QRF for support.
“The scenario didn’t have the same type of emotion that would be in a real combat situation, but everyone made it as real as possible,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas J. Alford, MWSS-171 corpsman. “During the patrol, I had two wounded Marines. I quickly rendered them emergency aid until QRF support came.”
The QRF responded quickly to the LZ, provided additional security and pulled out the two wounded Marines who were moved to the medical vehicle. The scenario was over after the corpsman checked out the wounded Marines.
“The scenario started out slow,” said Seaman Apprentice William N. Howell, MWSS-171 QRF member. “But once the training evolution started to pick up, we began working as team, and everything went into place.”
“We learned a lot about moving together as a squad,” said Lance Cpl. Michael A. Orozco, MWSS-171 QRF squad leader. The whole medical evacuation scenario taught me personally what to do in case my squad ever encountered a situation in which we had to rescue wounded Marines.”
The scenario, which had been one of QRF’s first training evolutions, was deemed a success for all of the Marines and sailors involved.
“The evolution went exceptionally well,” said Tafaro. “The Marines reacted accordingly and recovered the casualties while establishing a good perimeter and defense to prevent counter attacks.”