CAMP HUMPHREYS -- A CH-47F Chinook helicopter was fully packed with not Soldiers, but Army Family members. When the engine started, a kid covered his ears with his hands and leaned toward his mother. As the Chinook lifted into the air, people began taking pictures to capture the exciting moment.
Family members, DOD civilians, and non-combatants from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade visited the Super Hangar on October 30 during the non-combatant evacuation operation training exercise, Courageous Channel. As a part of exercise, the training helps the non-combatants get familiar with the evacuation process during a real-world crisis such as a military conflict or natural disaster.
"We replicate what will happen when we evacuate non-combative personnel out of the country," said Capt. Guecheon Theobal, the support operations officer for the 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade.
The exercise did not only prepare community members for a potential evacuation, but also trains military personnel to execute the massive undertaking should a situation ever call for action.
"NEO gives an opportunity to let Family members learn the system and an opportunity for us to run the system," said Theobal.
The 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade's NEO training includes not only the administrative/document procedures, but also an opportunity to fly. Sgt. Christopher Weinkel, a NEO Warden for the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd CAB, helped civilians get on the helicopters.
"We perform military air flights with our Chinooks under the same process that would take place during an actual evacuation," said Weinkel. "During the entire procedure, safety is foremost in our minds."
Every year, the NEO staff continue to improve and fasten the process.
"Compared to last year, the entire procedure is way more efficient," said Jennifer McBroom, the spouse of Capt. Philip McBroom, a 2nd CAB chaplain's assistant. "NEO training is helpful, so we know what to expect in case of an emergency."
"There are aspects of a real-world situation you just can't simulate, but we do our best to make sure what people see when they come into the NEO Center is almost the same as they would see in a real event," said Theobal. "Once this year's exercise is over we will go back and take lessons learned and continue to refine our process, so that we can evacuate everyone as safely and quickly as possible."
The exercise is planned to be good training and fun for the non-combatants. They were able to learn what needs to be done during a crisis, but also got to go out and fly in a helicopter which not a lot of people can say they do. It was definitely an exciting moment that most people wanted to capture with a photograph.
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