ABOARD USS BATAAN -- More than 20 Marines and sailors from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit took advantage of sunny weather to sustain a critical combat skill here, today.
Members of Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, took to the flight deck of the USS Bataan to train in patrolling and casualty evacuation procedures, a skill that could get injured Marines to treatment faster and save lives.
Staff Sgt. Kyle Bujno, platoon sergeant, 3rd Plt., E Co., said the training provides Marines in the required billets a means to successfully evacuate a wounded Marine in a combat situation.
The training is important to Bujno, "because survival is key on the battle field."
The Marines started at one end of the flight deck and began patrolling until a simulated attack and casualty occurred.
It was then the Marines had to react to the casualty by beginning basic life-saving steps, report the situation to higher headquarters and then move the wounded service member to the evacuation point, which was more than 50 yards from the attack.
"The number one priority," said Bujno, "is to get the casualty out of the area."
Once the Marines moved their wounded to the evacuation point, Bujno, a combat veteran of Iraq, would discuss with them what went well and what adjustments the Marines should make when reacting to a casualty.
Once done, the squad set up in patrol formation to begin the drill again.
Bujno stressed to the Marines the importance of squad tactics when moving the injured; their actions are important in saving a fellow Marine's life.
"Depending on the injury, they only have a small amount of time to get treatment," said Bujno. "Based on the actions of their fellow Marines, these steps can increase their chances of survival."
In addition to Ground Combat Element, BLT 2/2, the 26th MEU is comprised of the Command Element; the Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 26; and the Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 264 (Reinforced).
The 26th MEU, along with the ships of the Bataan Strike Group, USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), USS Shreveport (LPD-12), USS Nitze (DDG-94), USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), USS Underwood (FFG-36) and USS Scranton (SSN-756), deployed in early January on a routine, scheduled deployment.
The Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group is currently supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of operations. Coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.
For more information, news and video, please visit www.usmc.mil/26thmeu.