 |
KERNEL BLITZ '01 Story and photos by CW4 David Rosenthal |
As a major part of its 2001 Annual Training period, the 126th Med Co provided dedicated MEDEVAC helicopter support for Operation Kernel Blitz, a large-scale joint military exercise held every other year (this year, 1-4 April) and staged offshore from the U. S. Marine Corps base, Camp Pendleton, California.
For us in the 126th, this meant a lot of over-water flying and operating from ships and carriers.
 |
To the Navy and Marines, it meant getting trained by us in MEDEVAC helicopter operations since they usually only take advantage of what they call "lifts of opportunity" and have no dedicated assets like us. |  |
But another aspect of over-water operation is training for emergency egress in the event we have to ditch.
| We started off with being familiarized with what it's like to be suddenly upside down in the water. |
 |
And then graduated to "the dunker," a special fixture that falls into the water, sinks, and then rolls over. Your job is to get out.
 |
 |
Then it was on to the operation. With more than 11,000 people, 75 aircraft, and 11 ships, activity was non-stop for days. We got some excellent experience and everyone enjoyed themselves.
| Landing on the ships' crowded, incredibly
busy decks was its own adventure. But everyone: Navy,
Marines, and Army folks all worked together and everything unfolded
smoothly. Over more than five days, we got lots and lots of
practice.
|
 |
 |
Meanwhile, below the flight deck of the U. S. S. Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), a Navy-Marine amphibious assault ship, the Tactical Air Control Center (TACC) served as the Air Traffic Control hub for the entire exercise. They constantly tracked every aircraft in and near the operation and coordinated its movements. The atmosphere in here possessed an incredible intensity that never slackened until the last aircraft was either safe ashore or aboard. |
 |
For those of us who got a chance to
roam around onboard, strange shipboard vistas awaited...
|
 |
| ...scenes someone with a background in
the Army would never expect.
|
 |
 |
But, after the 126th had flown 181
sorties, 134 hours, and transported 189 patients, Kernel Blitz '01 came
to a safe and peaceful conclusion. With our commander, Major Bob
Spano aboard, the Bonhomme Richard proudly sailed back into San Diego
harbor.
|
| Soon, we were heading back up the beach
and across Los Angeles, on our way back home after an exciting and
productive adventure none of us would ever forget. That's the 405
freeway going through the Sepulveda Pass on the right, by the way.
|
 |
Back to the Contents page.