Yuma, AZ - Military aircraft, vehicles and service men and women carrying guns hit the streets in Yuma for a special training exercise.
"What happens is when we are operating on a Marine Expeditionary Unit in the water we can go into the water or go flying into another country to rescue U.S. citizens and remove them out of harms way," says Michael Jacobellis, Camp Pendleton, CA.
CH 53 helicopters, UH-1's, and predators were landing and taking off in the Kiwanis Park dropping of Marines for the rescue mission. Some from the Canadian Military also participated. Nearly 30 men and women were asked to role play civilians in need of rescue.
"My individual scenario is I'm going to be playing a 37 year old doctor and I don't mind flying in helicopters.
I'm going to go in there and they're going to take care of me, they will bring me in and fly us out of here," says Scott Young with the Canadian Forces Petawawa, Ontario.
"I'm playing a 17 year old, and I'm going to do it to the best of my abilities," says Derek Steele with the Canadian Forces Petawawa, Ontario.
Lt. Jacobellis says these exercises are very important for the military.
"It's really important because when we're back in the rear, back in camp Pendleton where we are from, it's hard to get the masses trained. It allows us the opportunity to combine both aviation and ground in one big exercise," says Lt. Jacobellis.
The exercise lasted for approximately 4 hours. The Canadian Forces say they are doing more training here in Yuma throughout the month.
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