US Marine Generals Vow To Boost Safety After Multiple Drowning Accidents - Testimony
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published May 04, 2021 | 12:30 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th May, 2021) The US Marine Corps is working to transform its institutional culture and introduce new safety measures to prevent unnecessary deaths after eight corps members and a Navy sailor drowned in a July 30 training accident, a senior Marine Corps general told the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) on Monday.
"The deaths were preventable in so many ways but we failed: We failed these brave young men," Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General Gary Thomas said in testimony to the HASC Readiness Subcommittee. "Our safety culture has to improve. ...We're looking at adding additional safety specialists to our exercises."
Eight Marines and a Navy hospitalman all aged between 19 and 23 were drowned when the amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) on which they were riding sank in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego on July 30 after a routine training exercise.
US Naval Surface Forces Commander Vice Admiral Roy Kitchener acknowledged that the Navy's casualty assistance calls officer (CACO) process did not function properly during the tragedy. The AAV was not equipped with any radio equipment to directly call Navy ships in the area.
"The Navy CACO process did not work as it should have in this process," Kitchener told the hearing.
Marine Corps Staff Director Major General Gregg Olson told the hearing that the AAV was equipped with the capability for the Marines and Navy hospitalman to escape from it, but they had not been trained to use it.
Recent Stories
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From World
-
Football: French Ligue 1 results - collated
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A results - collated
2 hours ago -
European Champions Cup semi-final result
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
2 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Madrid Open results
2 hours ago -
Formula One: Miami Grand Prix sprint race results
2 hours ago
-
Barca have 'huge amount' to change next season: coach Xavi
2 hours ago -
Haaland 'back to business' with four-goal haul in Man City rout of Wolves
2 hours ago -
Newcomer Bellingham Madrid's driving force in La Liga conquest
3 hours ago -
Girona players have made history, says coach after reaching Champions League
3 hours ago -
Reus begins farewell tour while Bayern stumble in Stuttgart
3 hours ago -
Real Madrid La Liga title win in numbers
3 hours ago