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DEL.ICIO.USGetting out of the HEAT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeremy Redmon
Soldiers use the HEAT trainer to learn how to escape quickly from a Humvee after a rollover.
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait — Roll over!
It’s a Humvee on a spit, a wild carnival ride and a training tool all rolled into one. The U.S. military is also hoping it will be a lifesaver.
The odd-looking ride is meant to teach soldiers how to quickly and safely exit a Humvee that has rolled over.
Since the invasion of Iraq, 90 U.S. service members have been killed in vehicle rollovers, according to a military report. Fourteen drowned in armored Humvees.
In building the ride, workers repaired a Humvee damaged by an improvised explosive device in Iraq, mounted it on a tank engine repair stand and hooked it to a motor. The motor can turn the Humvee compartment up to 180 degrees to simulate a rollover.
The device is based on the “Dilbert Dunker,” which teaches pilots how to escape a submerged plane. The military loves technical language and acronyms, so the ride got the name HEAT, for Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer.
Soldiers are taught that a Humvee can roll over if it hits a 25-degree angle, depending on other factors such as speed and the abruptness of turns.
During their ride, the soldiers learn to shout “Roll over!” when they feel the vehicle tipping. That warns everyone in the truck to brace themselves.
Once they are upside down, the soldiers must balance on their helmets while unfastening their seatbelts.
Then, they must push open one of the armored doors, which weigh 240 pounds each, help one another out and be ready to fight the enemy.
When Sgt. 1st Class Sylvannus Jones, of St. Leonard, Md., went on the ride this week, he had the added complication of sitting in the gunner’s hatch.
He learned to resist the temptation of bracing himself on the hatch, where a limb can be severed in a rollover. He instead crawled quickly down into the vehicle.
“Your natural reaction is to put your hands up. Metal and flesh don’t mix,” said Jones, a Maryland National Guard soldier with the Baltimore-based 243rd Engineer Company. “It’s realistic training. Hopefully, my guys will never have to use it.”
Comments
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By army spouse
February 11, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this
I am so pleased about this program. I pray that none of the lessons learned will ever have to be used, but should they be needed I pray the skills will be remembered. I was so grieved to learn of different soldiers drowning in these overturned vehicles, grieving for those lost and afraid for my own soldier riding in the vehicles. Thank you, every one of you that made this program a reality.
To each of you overthere, we here cannot wait to hold you, and again be able to tell you of the depth of our love for you. More importantly, to THANK YOU for defending our republic and freeing women to know the value of their own voice in goverment.
By Virgil
February 16, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
The first simulator was built at Ft Gillem in Atlanta, GA, by some reserve soldiers. The Kuwait trainer was copied from the original, and was a darn good copy at that!
By Opinion One
February 18, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
Ft. Gillem should be deeded to the State of Georgia and Guard and Reserve headquarters should be there. That is for all branches of the military. Well, I guess the Air Force won’t move the AFRES from Robins, but Army and Army Guard could be headquartered there. It would be ideal. Also, use the warehouses to store emergency supplies. Use the airfield for Air Guard. Such a good location for this mission. Training could also be done here.
Thanks, Virgil, for sharing with us the fact that the first simulator was build there by reserves.
God keep all our military and allied military safe. Thank you to all, regular, reserve and Guard (all branches).