15th MEU Conducts ERC Training Aboard a CH-53E [Image 1 of 7]

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of the United States Marine Corps conducted En Route Care (ERC) training aboard a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter on April 9, 2024. The training took place in the South China Sea as part of the routine operations of the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD-25) and its embarked elements in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet in the world, with over 70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft, and is responsible for maintaining the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. The fleet's area of operations spans more than 124 million square miles and includes the Western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and parts of the Arctic Ocean.

During the ERC training aboard the CH-53E Super Stallion, a special operations independent duty corpsman from Reconnaissance Company, 15th MEU, provided medical care to a simulated casualty. The CH-53E is a heavy-lift helicopter operated by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM 165 Reinforced (Reinforced), which is also embarked on the USS Somerset. The training was designed to prepare the Marines for providing medical care during long-range transport by helicopter, which is an essential capability for the MEU in its amphibious and expeditionary missions.

The USS Somerset is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock that can carry up to 2,200 Marines and their equipment, as well as helicopters and landing craft. The ship is designed for amphibious assault, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions and is capable of operating in shallow waters near the coast. The embarked elements of the 15th MEU include a command element, a ground combat element, an aviation combat element, and a logistics combat element.

The training in the South China Sea was part of the routine operations of the USS Somerset and the 15th MEU in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The fleet's area of responsibility includes key strategic waterways and critical sea lanes, making it essential for the U.S. Navy to maintain its presence and readiness in the region. The training also underscores the importance of the Navy's ability to provide medical care to its personnel during long-range transport and in remote locations.