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Regional Strength Through Friendship in COBRA GOLD 2007 India-Japan-U.S. Forces Train at Sea in MALABAR/TRILATEX 2007 Enhancing the Australia-U.S. Military Alliance in TALISMAN SABER 2007 Perspectives :: PACOM: Moving the Throttle Forward in the Pacific Humanitarian Assistance :: Indonesian and U.S. Armies Promote Regional Stability in GARUDA SHIELD 2007 Special Interest :: Bridging Borders Through Military Medicine Happenings :: |
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Jungle Training In a small, backwoods training area in the heart of Thailand’s vast subtropical landscape, U.S. Marines learned those lessons and more in a jungle survival course at the Ban Chan Krem Training Area. Sitting in a semi-circle in the jungle, Marines learned from Thai MCPO Pranom Yodrud, a 27-year reconnaissance veteran and jungle survival expert. He showed them examples of edible vegetation and fruits as well as ways to collect water. Several Marines tasted the fruits and vegetation. Their faces told the story: Squinty eyes and pursed lips meant bitter and unpleasant, wide eyes and elevated eyebrows meant “not bad.” Most reactions got a chuckle from MCPO Yodrud. Plants and fruits gave way to insect cuisine as the training progressed. The Marines jumped at the chance to eat some roasted cockroaches and grubs. “I had a cockroach and a grasshopper, and they didn’t taste bad at all,” said U.S. Marine LCpl. Kyle Roberts. “They tasted like burnt chicken skin.” Two Thai Reconnaissance Marines quickly started a fire by rubbing the convex side of half a bamboo stalk on the sharp, rigid edge of the other half. Two Marines struggled to mimic the feat, and MCPO Yodrud eventually helped them out with a pocket lighter. Thai CPO Piroj Parsansai’s cobra-catching routine was the highlight of the training. Kneeling down to lock eyes with the cobra, he slowly reached out to press down on the snake’s head, but it resisted. The two locked in a dangerous dance that, at one point, had CPO Parsansai barely dodging one of the snake’s potentially deadly strikes. In the end, CPO Parsansai’s cool charm won over the snake, and he slowly pushed its head into the dirt and snatched it up in a one-handed grip. He emptied the snake’s potent venom into a cup and released the animal back into the circle, so Marines could practice the proper way to catch it by the tail. At Camp Thammarat in the jungles of Thailand, flora and fauna pose many dangers. However, Thai soldiers have the experience and knowledge necessary to survive. In the spirit of Pacific partnership, they shared their knowledge with Singapore and U.S. soldiers during jungle survival training. “To know how to survive is the most important tool of a soldier,” said Thai Army Ranger MSgt. Yuttapom Sokko, jungle survival lead instructor. “We teach them what they can eat and what they can’t and how to catch, kill and cook it.”MSgt. Sokko stressed the importance of the plant life in the region. As he stood behind a large table covered with wild fruit and plants, he invited the soldiers to sample the different varieties. Some are sweet and enjoyable; others have medicinal properties that could cure simple stomach aches and even insomnia. After the demonstrations, MSgt. Sokko encouraged the students to learn as much as they can before simply trying the techniques shown them on their own. He said he loves passing on his knowledge. “The American soldiers are all willing and eager to learn, and it makes me feel proud to teach them,” he said. “They need to know what they can do to survive.” Nonlethal Weapons Training The military members spent the morning in a classroom learning about the nonlethal weapons and situations in which they might be used. In the afternoon, they received training with a 12-gauge shotgun that fired bean-bag projectiles, a semi-automatic paintball gun, a Taser gun that fires electrified darts to stun and immobilize a person, and a 40-mm foam rubber baton. The baton is a cylindrical piece of lightweight foam fired from an M203 40-mm grenade launcher. All the systems can cause some serious discomfort. But, if used properly, the weapons can save lives. U.S. Marine LCpl. Madison Currie said she was glad to get the training because it broadens the options when encountering hostile forces. “If I had a choice between killing someone or [Tasering] them, I would choose the nonlethal option,” she said.Amphibious Assault Exercise Two waves of Marines exited the AAVs and formed a line that stretched across the beach. The infantry squads then leapfrogged toward simulated enemy aggressors, laying down fire for one another. In the midst of the assault, a Thai helicopter swept in to conduct a simulated medical evacuation. Thai Marine Lt. Yossaputt Poonkasame, commander of the infantry company that conducted the assault, noted that Thai Marines and sailors sharpened their skills with the same enthusiasm and proficiency they demonstrate every year during COBRA GOLD. “I think the event was successful,” he said. “[The troops] executed orders immediately. The training was good and they worked very hard.” Medical Civil
Assistance Projects Medical personnel handed out 5,484 eyeglasses to those who have never seen clearly, fitted the elderly with canes, and checked the health and comfort of the young. Working with translators, the staff did not quit until the last person’s record had been filled out completely. “It’s amazing what some of these people endure,” said U.S. Navy PO1 Kevin Ashcraft. “One man had a 10-year fracture that never properly healed and all he complained about was a little back pain caused by farm work. It really puts things in perspective.” The medical assistance provided Pacific partner nations a chance to help people in need. “It feels great to help and learn from our partners and learn more about their cultures,” said Singapore Army MSgt. Tan Shaotheng. “This operation has been well organized and the flow has been smooth. It is very well done.” The medical professionals did not just treat the patients’ injuries, they also collected valuable data that was sent to local health care facilities and referred the patients for follow-on health care. “Sure, we can help them here and now. But, we also need to be concerned about the follow-on care,” said U.S. Marine Col. Stephen Maloney. “The data collection is just as important as the medical care.” Despite the language barrier, those receiving treatment smiled and laughed alongside their caregivers. Even those who were weakened from pain expressed their gratitude. “I think they appreciate our help,” said MSgt. Shaotheng. “They need medical attention and we are happy to provide it for them.” At Sattahip Naval Base’s Abhakorn Hospital, Thai cancer patients experienced the healing powers of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Patients were placed inside a large metal cylinder where they breathed pure oxygen at high pressure levels. The treatment delivers oxygen at levels two to three times greater than atmospheric pressure. The hyperbaric therapy helps increase the blood oxygen supply, grow new blood vessels, and works to kill bacteria through high levels of oxygen. When combined with other medical and surgical procedures, the treatment enhances the healing process of many treatable conditions. U.S. Navy medical personnel helped their Thai counterparts implement advances in hyperbaric treatments, including limiting the time patients spend in the pressurized cylinder. In the past, patients spent up to 36 hours in the chamber. This has been decreased to no more than 22 hours per treatment.The advancements substantially improved the way Thai medical personnel use hyperbaric therapy, according to Thai Navy Capt. Kajit Autsaneesawat, doctor of underwater medicine at the hospital. The hyperbaric chamber at Abhakorn is one of three official treatment facilities in Thailand, according to Thai Navy Lt. Cmdr Doo Nitran. The chamber at Abhakorn is used extensively for its many health benefits. “Our department is on call all the time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nitran. “We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Hyperbaric treatment, which is also used to treat decompression sickness, is vital technology in Thailand, a country with a vast diving industry. According to an article written by the Thai Tourism Authority, Thailand has one of the world’s more frequented dive destinations with more than 550,000 diving tourists a year. “This treatment is important to the public and the military. I am happy that we can improve it” said Thai Navy CPO1 Cholchai Chaiprasitt, a hyperbaric chamber nurse.
E-mail: apdforum@apan-info.net
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