203rd Corps Afghan National Army initiates HEAT training

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan — “Roll-over, roll-over, roll-over!”  These words were repeated by the Afghan National Army Soldiers during their first ever High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle Egress Assistance Training, Nov. 16.

The 203rd Corps ANA held a HEAT ribbon cutting ceremony.  The ceremony included a demonstration to the 203^rd Corps leadership and their coalition partners of the technologically advanced training the ANA soldiers will be receiving in their current Up-Armored HMMWV(UAH) training.

HEAT training is a newly added supplement to the recent training offered to the 203rd Corps ANA soldiers.  Presently UAH training is a three-week course that teaches students hand and arm signals, basic driving principles and road rules. 

“This was good training for us, the teachers taught us a lot of things during the three weeks and if something happens we will know what to do”, said an ANA soldier.

HEATs purpose is to train soldiers on the effects of vehicle rollovers and conduct drills that will supply them with skills to react accordingly during a rollover or emergency egress situation.  The ANA also learned how to work as a team by helping each other during the rollover and egression of the HMMWV. 

During this training, each student conducted HEAT rollover drills numerous times with each scenario being different to a certain degree.  HEAT training not only familiarizes soldiers with procedures but also reinforces the importance of seat positioning, wearing seatbelts and demonstrates the feeling of disorientation.

“This training is going to benefit the ANA by helping save lives in the event these soldiers encounter dangerous rollovers or dangerous vehicle turnovers as they do in field operations”, said Lt. Col. Jack Parker, Operations Officer Combined Joint Task Force-82^nd Tactical Command Post, which is partnered with the 203^rd Corps.

HEAT enables 203^rd Soldiers to be better prepared and trained to survive any future accidents and help reduce or prevent any injuries or fatalities.