JSA Security Battalion conducts live fire exercise

By 1st Lt. Adam R. Kirby, United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area Public AffairsOctober 4, 2011

JSA Security Battalion conducts live fire exercise
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP BONIFAS, South Korea - U.S. Soldiers assigned to the United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area do more than serve as security escorts and give historical briefs to visitors of the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom.

Recently those other skills were executed and evaluated at New Mexico Range as the Security Battalion Soliders conducted a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team live fire exercise.

As part of the Military Armistice, the Republic of Korea and North Korea have the "right to flight" within the Demilitarized Zone. This means that each side may maintain an active helipad within the DMZ.

Currently only the United Nations forces exercise this right, which is executed on a monthly flight to Helipad 128, next to the Freedom House on Conference Row.

During these flights, the DART stands ready to respond to a crash whether caused by mechanical failure or by enemy fire. The team includes the force protection element, medical support and fire suppression support.

The training conducted at New Mexico Range included reacting to enemy fire, casualty evacuation and fire suppression. Fire suppression support is always provided by fire teams from the Camp Casey Fire Department, who live and operate out of Camp Bonifas. They moved their two Fire Engines onto the range behind the security element and executed alongside the JSA Soldiers.

Their mission is to extinguish the downed aircraft and ensure it is safe for the Soldiers to approach and render aid.

The training event was also an exercise in communication and command and control. The members of the DART must rely on the over watch of the Battalion S-2 through the Tactical Operations Center. This is very important given the sensitive location and the necessity not to further escalate an altercation unnecessarily.

The training was directed by UNCSB-JSA Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Edward J. Taylor and UNCSB-JSA Command Sgt. Maj. Eric R. Kloss.

The Soldiers executed three of the battalion commander's "Big 4," which were physical fitness, repeated executed in full gear at combat speed; marksmanship, evaluated during the live fire portion; and Combat Lifesaver Skills, which included casualty extraction, triage, treatment and evacuation

Under the guidance and mentorship of the command team, the junior leaders were empowered to act decisively and execute with focused goals as the situation presented itself with a variety of obstacles.

The UNCSB-JSA DART stands ready to deploy, engage and render aid for any mission needed within the DMZ.

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