USS Bonhomme Richard conducts mass casualty drill

The US Navy’s Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) has conducted a mass casualty drill, aimed to test crew emergency response capabilities.

31st MEU Chief Hospital Corpsman Jacoby Flemming said, "It tests your capabilities so you know what you can do and what you can’t in that type of situation."

"It gives them a chance to work together and communicate because we have so many different pieces to coordinate to accomplish the mission."

Conducted as a part of Amphibious Integration Training (AIT), the drill involved medical personnel from Bonhomme Richard and the 31st MEU, who worked jointly to respond to an emergency situation.

The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) will conduct multilateral exercises, contingency operations, or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions following operational manoeuvring from sea to shore.

The mass casualty training will enable the crew to assess and evacuate casualties from the scene quickly and efficiently.

During the simulated exercise, about 30-60 casualties with varying degrees of injuries were assessed by the medical personnel and evacuated them according to their triage category.

The ARG is due to undergo certification exercise and amphibious landing exercise during its deployment on the Western Pacific.

The navy intends to maintain mission readiness, while ensuring the crew to quickly respond and adapt to new situations.