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CAMP PENDLETON - Marines from Camp Pendleton are practicing vehicle rescue skills this week at an auto wreck yard in San Clemente, skills they may need to save comrades' lives in Afghanistan, it was reported today.
At San Clemente Auto Wrecking on Avenida De La Estrella, owner Ron Perugini is hosting 30 Camp Pendleton Marines per day -- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week -- to familiarize themselves with rescue gear and dismantle cars, the Orange County Register reported.
Roadside explosives and other attacks on vehicles are leading causes of injury and death among U.S. military combatants in Afghanistan.
Using hydraulic tools including the "Jaws of Life," members of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines and the 5th Marine Regiment are knocking down doors, windows, roofs, panels or whatever else it might take to extract trapped Marines, the newspaper reported.
The goal is to train Marines to use the same lifesaving equipment used by firefighters here to save fellow Marines' lives in Afghanistan, according to The Register.
"Marines don't leave Marines behind," Gunnery Sgt. Juan Arango of the 5th Marine Regiment told the newspaper. "We'll die protecting each other."
Arango said trainees attend a three-hour class in the morning at Camp Pendleton before getting two hours of hands-on training at San Clemente Auto Wrecking. This week's introduction is a first step, Arango said.
Individual Marine units will reinforce the training.
Perugini said he is donating three to four vehicles per day to the cause.
"They're doing our country a great service," he said, "and we're trying to give back a little bit. If we can help save a life, that's what we want to do."
Fabian Sosa, a retired Marine, was on hand to witness the first day of hands-on training in San Clemente with extraction kits that his company, ADS, Inc., provides to the military.
Sosa said he was impressed to see the civilian community step up, not only with cars but serving up lunch for the Marines. Locals donated money. Local eateries provided discounts.
"The folks here, not only in the salvage yard but in San Clemente, care and support the Marines," Sosa said.
Perugini said he was impressed with how Marine trainees were able to take apart his cars.
"Very good job," he said. "I'm proud of them. Most of these are going straight to the shredder."
Gunnery Sgt. Arango said the difference that this training and the extraction kit can make is huge.
"I can either beat a door open or cut it open," Arango said. "This is way faster."
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