HMH-466 leaps into fast-roping

Photo By Sgt. Erica Kirsop | A Marine with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, rappels out of the back of a Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 CH-53E “Super Stallion” during a fast-roping and rappelling training operation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, July 25. Through fast-roping and rappelling techniques, Marines can quickly enter not only rugged terrain but urban environments that would not provide proper space for landing.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, UNITED STATES

07.25.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Erica Kirsop 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted fast-rope and rappelling training exercises supported by Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton July 25.

Five Marines with HMH-466 flew to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to carry out what would be a four hour training cycle consisting of 12 radio reconnaissance Marines quickly exiting the helicopter carrying various amounts of equipment in preparation for future deployment scenarios.

Marines exit through the “hell hole” at the center of the aircraft by sliding down a rope without a harness, allowing Marines to step away from the rope quickly without detaching time-consuming gear.

After four evolutions of this were complete, the Marines were already sweat-soaked and spattered with dirt, but only a third of the day’s operation was complete.

Following fast-roping, the reconnaissance team began executing repelling operations for approximately an hour-and-a-half. Before each departure, the Marines weighted themselves with gear to carry as they jumped from the helicopter.

“This kind of training is used for quick [Marine] insertion to an area,” said Capt. Lawrence D. Brown, a CH-53E pilot with HMH-466 and a New York native. “Fast-roping is one of the fastest ways to get Marines into a location. You don’t have to land and can get a lot of [Marines] into a tight spot quickly.”

Helicopters such as the Stallion are essential tools for inserting and extracting Marines in various types of environments. Through fast-rope and repelling practices, Marines can quickly enter not only rugged terrain but urban environments that would not provide proper space for landing.

• Date Taken: 07.25.2011
• Date Posted: 07.27.2011 19:40
• Story ID: 74405
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, US