MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY -- As the deep, blue waters of Kaneohe Bay swelled and crested around them, Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 24 dove in to conduct annual mishap drill training, June 11, 2013.
The unit coordinated with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 37, Patrol Squadron 9, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii Waterfront Operations, Federal Fire Department, and the Honolulu Fire Department for this training event.
Capt. John Kolb, an aviation safety officer with MAG-24 and a native of Rock Springs, Wyo., discussed the purpose for conducting this training.
“The drill is designed to exercise and enhance unit, station and emergency response procedures and coordination,” Kolb said. “Conducting mishap drills in a safe and controlled environment builds familiarity with procedures, so that should an actual mishap occur, responders have developed some amount of muscle memory.”
An UH-1Y Venom helicopter sent a simulated “mayday” call, signaling the beginning of the drill. Approximately one mile north of Pyramid Rock, the helicopter simulated a catastrophic mechanical failure, resulting in 14 survivors floating in the water.
The survivors used their survival equipment to remain afloat, signaled for help and made radio contact with the rescue vehicle. Air traffic controllers cleared the airspace of nonparticipating aircraft and directed a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter to the scene to coordinate rescue efforts.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dan Immeker, an aviation flight physiologist with MAG-24 and a native of Orange City, Iowa, discussed the importance of mishap drill training.
“This is really a great opportunity to train like we fight,” Immeker said.
As the CH-53E helicopter informed air traffic controllers of the status of the survivors, they directed the rescue vehicles. For the purpose of this drill, three rescue vehicles were used. There were two helicopters and a rescue boat from MCB Hawaii’s Waterfront Operations.
The first 10 survivors were rescued by either being hoisted into or suspended below one of the two helicopters in a rescue basket. The final four survivors were rescued by boat. Once rescued, all survivors were taken to the casualty collection point and evaluated by medical personnel.
Maj. Chad Bignell, the director of safety and standardization with MAG-24 and native of Marietta, Ga., discussed their annual mishap drill training.
“The intent of this drill was to test our emergency response procedures and the linkages between the various agencies.”
As the early afternoon sun reached its peak, the drill concluded with a debrief in which all agencies provided feedback.
Kolb said that by testing procedures and obtaining feedback from multiple perspectives, MAG-24’s annual mishap drill ensures that MAG-24, MCAS, Federal Fire Department, and the Honolulu Fire Department are prepared to respond should a mishap occur.