Bonhomme Richard Tests Emergency Response Capabilities

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karen Blankenship, Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a mass casualty drill to test emergency response capabilities, Sept. 3.

The drill was an all-hands effort designed to see how well medical personnel from Bonhomme Richard and the 31st MEU work together to respond to an emergency situation.

"When you talk about mass casualties, the idea is to see what level you're at to avoid becoming overwhelmed with the number of casualties," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Jacoby Flemming, who is attached to the 31st MEU. "It tests your capabilities so you know what you can do and what you can't in that type of situation."

The drill was conducted as a part of Amphibious Integration Training (AIT), which provides the initial opportunity for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to conduct operational maneuvering from sea to shore before supporting multilateral exercises, contingency operations, or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

The purpose of mass casualty training is to ensure that casualties are assessed, triaged and evacuated from the scene quickly and efficiently.

During the scenario there were between 30-60 casualties with varying degrees of injuries. Medical personnel quickly assessed the injured and evacuated them according to their triage category.

Triage categories range from red, which indicates the patient needs immediate medical care, to black, for those who will not likely survive. Medical personnel must decide quickly which patients to treat and how soon that treatment needs to be done.

"I think this drill is very important because in our minds we might know what to do but when we come together as a team, we have to make sure we are a well-oiled machine," said Cmdr. Roseanna Chandler, a nurse anesthetist. "We need to make sure that everybody is confident with performing their tasks."

The Navy's goal to maintain mission readiness includes training to ensure that Sailors and Marines are able to respond quickly and adapt to new situations.

"This drill helps train people so everyone is aware of what's going on especially since there are always new people coming in and out with the MEU and on the ship," said Flemming. "It gives them a chance to work together and communicate because we have so many different pieces to coordinate to accomplish the mission."

In addition to AIT, the ARG is also scheduled to participate in Certification Exercise and Amphibious Landing Exercise while on deployment on the Western Pacific.

Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Capt. Daniel Dusek, is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed ARG and is currently operating in the 7th Fleet Area of Operations.

Navy Lieutenant Sets Record En Route to Paralympic Gold Medal

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – The United States had the Olympic performance of Baltimore native Michael Phelps to celebrate last month, and now the nation can rejoice in the dominating performance of U.S. Paralympic swimmer Navy Lt. Bradley Snyder.

Snyder carried over his strong performance in June’s U.S. swimming trials by setting a Paralympic record in his qualifying event here Aug. 31 for the 100-meter freestyle and earning a gold medal in the final round.

“It's really crazy. … It's really loud in here,” Snyder said following his record-setting qualifying swim. “It's exciting. We were able to go out and do what we were wanting to do. I was pretty happy to go out and get the time I got tonight.”

After Snyder swam the 100-meter freestyle in 57.18 seconds to set the Paralympic record, he reflected on the feeling of stepping out in front a huge crowd to represent the United States, saying it was “a huge comfort” getting into the water. “I've never walked out in front of this many people,” he said. “[It's] very crazy, and a lot of excitement. The second I hit the pool, it felt natural again. It felt like I was in my zone, so it felt really good.”

After earning gold medal in the final round for the 100-meter freestyle, Snyder admitted he was a bit nervous.

“It was great – absolutely great,” he said. “There was a lot of uncertainty this morning, a lot of nerves, coming out in front of a crowd this size. It was pretty daunting.

“I kind of underestimated that a little bit,” said he continued. “But once I hit the water, I felt really comfortable and really loose. I was able to get a swim in this morning, and then backed it up tonight. I'm glad to have touched the wall first. I'm really glad to set a precedent that hopefully will last through the week. And I’m glad to represent Team USA.”

The Navy lieutenant, who was blinded while attempting to disable an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on Sept. 7, 2011, will now face what he considers his flagship event on the anniversary of the accident.

“The anniversary of my accident will be next Friday,” he pointed out. “I'll be competing in my primary event – 400 freestyle. I'm really looking forward to it.”

Brian Loeffler, the U.S. Paralympic swimming team’s coach, explained how he and the Navy lieutenant came together in the first place.

“Brad moved to Baltimore, and it's been a great experience,” he said. “I coached a blind athlete before in Philip Schultz, so I was thrilled when I heard Brad was moving to Baltimore.”

Loeffler echoed Snyder’s assertion that the upcoming 400-meter freestyle is his strongest event. “I'm thrilled he won tonight,” the coach said after Snyder earned the 100-meter gold medal, “but we've really been focused on that 400. Today is gravy in terms of the additional medal spot.”

Kitsap Sailor Awarded Bronze Star Medal For Valor in Combat

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Lawrence Davis, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-West, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- A Navy officer was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for valorous action during Operation Enduring Freedom in a ceremony at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 Detachment Bangor, Aug. 30.

Lt. j.g. Dominic R. Frank was cited May 22 for exceptionally valorous conduct as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer in Charge for Operational Detachment Alpha-3336 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on Jan. 28, 2010. He distinguished himself by supporting the operational detachment alpha with his steadfast courage and professionalism.

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to an individual who, while serving in or with the military of the United States, distinguishes him or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

Rear Adm. Mark Rich, commander, Navy Region Northwest presented the medal.

"Lt. j.g. Frank is an example of courage and service to everyone in our region, and represents the best our Navy and Nation have to offer," said Rich.

"It's kind of bitter sweet," said Frank after receiving the award. "I mean this was a very bad day where a lot of guys out there did the right thing, like one of the medics who got wounded out there and got a Silver Star. He took a [bullet] in his shoulder and as he was bleeding he was still treating guys on their way to the bird."

On Jan. 28, 2010, the 1st Company, 6th Commandos and Operational Detachment-Alpha 3336 conducted an air assault onto objective Lincoln in the Lak Shar Ghar village, Nadi Ali district to clear a series of compounds suspected of housing enemies of Afghan leaders.

Due to the high number of pressure-plate improvised explosive devices (IED), Frank put himself in front of the assault force and cleared a path from the insertion point up to the target compound using his metal detector and mine probe. Frank commanded his EOD element through sensitive site exploitation and cleared all four compounds of explosive threats.

As one of the Operational Detachment-Alpha medics was wounded and the other treated Commandos, Frank took command of the treatment of an Air Force Combat Controller who received a gunshot wound and fell 14 feet from a rooftop.

"Initial shock, the first thirty seconds, it's a blur," said Frank. "Then as you actually pull down and take a step back, you'll be amazed how you react, and you know, I think it all goes back to the training. Even the most mundane, menial tasks we train on help out there."

Exposing himself to a barrage of enemy fire, Frank led the stretcher teams out of the safety of the compound and to the helicopter landing zone. He provided immeasurable support to the Operational Detachment-Alpha and engaged the enemy in 270-degree battle with complete disregard for his own personal safety.

"To be honest, I was more concerned about my guys' well-being and making sure they were safe than I was returning fire to the enemy," said Frank.

Frank attributed his achievements much to the efforts of his team and said he felt lucky to be alive.

"It's like, I feel good that I got the award but at the same time not," said Frank. "I got this award just supporting my guys and I'm just glad I made it out of that one."

 A native of East Liverpool, Ohio, Frank joined the Navy in 1995. Currently, he is serving as EODMU 11 shore-based Detachment Bangor OIC responsible for EOD strategic weapon, IED, surface, chemical, biological, radiological, and underwater response for Navy Region Northwest.

Paralympian Soldier Pioneers Prosthesis, Hopes to Inspire Others

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

LONDON – A sharpshooting Army sergeant who helped to usher in an innovative prosthesis that has helped countless wounded warriors has brought his sharp eye to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games here.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Olson, a member of the 2012 Paralympic shooting team and of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit helped to develop an advanced prosthesis for wounded service members.

“[In] October 2003, I was wounded in Iraq by a rocket-propelled grenade during an ambush,” Olson said. “From there, I was medevaced to Landstuhl [Regional Medical Center in Germany], and I was there for about eight days.” After that, he said, he woke up at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he spent about 18 months.

“In my stay at Walter Reed, there was an outdoor event every day in occupational therapy – shotgun shooting,” he said. “I went out and shot sporting clay one day. I hit my first 49 out of 50.”

Olson said his shooting acuity caught the attention of the program director at Walter Reed, who put in a call to the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Ga., to see if a position was available for a competitive shooter or marksmanship instructor.

“I went down to Fort Benning from Walter Reed, had a tryout and was very successful,” Olson said. “[I] got along great with the coaches and the other shooters on the team.”

The Army sergeant said he was assigned to the marksmanship unit in June 2005 and “slowly, but surely, started shooting.”

“And I'm here today,” he added.

Olson noted that been many troops in his position have wished to stay in the military despite their injuries, but were unable to.

“There's a lot of guys that have been wounded that want to continue to serve,” he said. “I'm very blessed and very fortunate to be able to do that.

I hope I inspire, not even [just] wounded soldiers, but other soldiers,” he continued, “just to [let them know], 'Hey, you might be going through something tough, such as [post-traumatic stress], but if you work hard and give yourself goals to work on, it helps you get out of bed every day [and] helps you work hard and overcome things in your life.”

In discussing the origin of the “Olson Socket,” the Army sergeant is quick to note he didn't invent the prosthesis himself.

“I was just the first guy to wear it and help make it work,” Olson explained. “In late 2004, I went down to Orlando, Fla., where Prosthetics and Associates is, and [met] a gentleman by the name of Dennis Clark.”

“Those guys got together [with] myself and the actual designers, and originally drew it up on a bar napkin,” he revealed. “And we tried it out, and we put it together and made it work.”

Olson said as soon as he got back to Walter Reed with the prosthesis, officials there immediately began sending service members down to Florida to be fitted for the same prosthesis and socket system.

“I was very fortunate and very blessed they named it after me, but I just happened to be the first guy to ever have one,” he said.

Olson credited his military service for the discipline that got him here to compete in the Paralympic Games.

“Military service has prepared me for the Paralympics by teaching me determination, patience and just overall hard work,” he said. “My goal for the Paralympics is to be able to perform my best – to perform at the level I know I can. If I do that, I should be on the medal stand.”

The key to his success, Olson said, is practicing, staying focused and concentrating on the fundamentals of his sport.

“For me, my biggest challenge is the ability to stay focused during the entire match,” he said. “So I do some mental exercises, a lot of imagery and some visualization exercises. This sport is 95 percent mental and 5 percent physical.

“I've been training a long time for this,” he added. “There's really no shooting drill, no mental exercise or anything you can really do to prepare for actually sitting there.”

Olson’s next Paralympic Games shooting event is scheduled for Sept. 4 at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

West Legal Education Center

The West Legal Education Center assists attorneys and others, such as paralegals and law office managers, involved in the practice of law in meet their continuing legal education (CLE) requirements by providing a searchable database of current, cutting-edge curriculum.  In addition to meeting their CLE requirements, the website assists attorneys in staying current in their area of practice by providing programming and content in 30 specific practice areas.   Moreover, West Legal Education Center has on demand programs which focus on business skills and business management skills for those responsible for the smooth running of a law office.

In addition to providing outstanding CLE content, the West Legal Education Center also produces live webcasts on cutting-edge legal topics and introduces 80 new programs every month.  These programs and content are developed in cooperation with the West Legal Education Center's more than 40 expert content providers.

Websites rich in content are sometimes difficult to navigate and find the specific information you require.  The West Legal Education Center website solves this problem by providing a robust and comprehensive search tools which allow the user to search by practice area, accreditation requirements, specific state laws, title, subject and speaker.  The search tools making find the specific continuing legal education you need simple and quick.

In essence, the West Legal Education Center is a well-organized and easy to navigate website that provides continuing legal education (CLE) to law practitioners.  Anyone working in the legal field, from attorneys to paralegals would benefit from their library which contains more than 22,000 hours of up-to-date CLE “spanning all learning levels and covering every practice area.”