Seaman Amanda Copas, assigned to USS Gunston Hall,
Summary
Seaman Amanda Copas, assigned to USS Gunston Hall, takes down Lance Cpl. Karl Leitz, a military policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a level 2 oleoresin capsicum spray certification, Feb. 1. Marines with CLB-24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, arranged the course and trained the sailors to deal with the pain from OC spray, a nonlethal weapon similar to mace, and still remain effective during a fight. The certification course is intended to recreate the conditions of a service member becoming contaminated with OC while using the spray. This training was conducted in conjunction with the 24th MEU’s Certification Exercise with Amphibious Squadron 8 scheduled Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, which includes a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for their upcoming deployment.