Six Midshipmen aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) took advantage of an exciting opportunity to be part of a comprehensive Medical Evacuation Exercise (MEDEX), playing the part of wounded Sailors after a deadly explosion.
The Midshipmen acted their roles seamlessly, giving realism to the exercise which was essential for the proper training of the Sailors, Soldiers and Marines involved. Simulated injuries among the wounded ranged from slight bruising and superficial wounds, to severe life-threatening amputations. Each Midshipman involved in the exercise agreed on the quality of the experience as well as how grateful they were to be part of such a complicated evolution.
“I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in this training exercise (by) helping prepare Soldiers and Sailors to react to combat disasters. Also, being painted up like a zombie wasn’t bad, either,” remarked Midshipman 1/C Kevin Lewis from Virginia Tech who suffered from mock burns of the face and arms. The six Midshipmen mustered early in the flight hangar aboard the USS LAKE ERIE along with several dozen sailors to begin the first phase of the evolution which consisted of getting into costumes and makeup. Experienced Corpsmen painted on all of the “wounds” with surprising realism, simulating severe burns, amputations, bruises and shrapnel wounds.
Donned in fake lacerations and blood, the Midshipmen headed to the mess decks where the “explosion” occurred. Strewn across the floors, tables and benches, moaning “victims” begged for help from the incoming firefighting teams and medical personnel. To an uninformed passerby, the scene would have looked authentic enough to cause alarm. Luckily, everyone involved knew their part and played it well. The expert medical team found the most severe cases and tended to them first, eventually helping the rest before escorting them to the ship’s hangar. Once secured in the hangar, they awaited their CH-47 Chinook helicopter rides to a proper medical facility.
After a short wait, the Midshipmen were the first six to board the Chinook and leave Lake Erie; however, the trip to safety and treatment in Hawaii had only just begun. First, the chopper made a landing on the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). The Midshipmen were transferred to a new helicopter with more fuel and departed for their final destination at Tripler Army Medical Facility.
Landing at Tripler around midday, the Midshipmen exited the still roaring chopper and sprawled themselves on the lawn while an Army medical team rushed to help. The medical staff quickly diagnosed and separated the victims into “Immediate Care” and “Delayed Care” categories. “I was impressed with how prepared and professional all of the Army medics proved to be,” commented Midshipman 3/C Robert Bruss, a sophomore at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Only minutes after touching down, the casualties were rushed into the hospital Emergency Room and treated for their various injuries. After a thorough and comprehensive exam, the Midshipmen were released from the ER, sent into the Operating Room, or proclaimed “dead.” Hours of mock surgeries were performed on the mock victims. “I died twice,” Midshipman 3/C Brendan Hanlon of the U.S. Naval Academy joked. “Technically, I wouldn’t have even made it to the hospital.”
Overall, the experience proved both educational and engaging for all of those involved. Out of the six participating Midshipmen, only three were able to survive, as the other three were proclaimed “dead.”
Dead or not, the Midshipmen weren’t complaining. Midshipman 3/C Sean Parmigiane of Annapolis remarked, “Four helicopter flights in one day? It was worth dying for!”
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