Pathfinders teach White Currahee scouts tactical fast rope techniques

Photo By Capt. Gina Thacher | Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), get onto a helicopter at a landing zone during fast-rope-insertion-and-extraction-system training here, Sept. 17, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Gina Thacher, 101st CAB Public Affairs)  

FORT CAMPBELL , KY, UNITED STATES

09.15.2014

Story by Sgt. Darci Brennan 

101st Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Pathfinders from Company F, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), trained scouts from 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, on tactical-fast-rope-insertion-and-extraction-system operations here, Sept. 15-17.

The training is part of the 101st Airborne Division's continuing development and expansion of air-assault techniques, which fosters trust and teamwork across the division when working with aviation assets.

“Eagle Assault's team of aircrews and pathfinders play a vital role in building air assault capacity for the 101st Airborne Division,” said Lt. Col. Joseph S. Degliuomini, commander, 5th Bn., 101st CAB, Eagle Assault. “We partner with Air-Assault qualified ground forces and train, develop tactics, techniques and procedures, and build relationships that ensure air and ground forces work together as one.”

The trust between ground personnel and air crews are essential when conducting potentially high-risk training. Training soldiers in a crawl-walk-run fashion allows the trainees to learn proper techniques.

“You have to start with the initial training,” said Staff Sgt. Galen Bradley, pathfinder team leader, Company F, 5th Bn. “We started them with a 15-foot fast rope in their uniform and helmet and then had them go down that rope while coming to a complete stop and then proceeding on to the ground. After that, they went down that rope with a full combat load and then again with their gear and coming to a stop. We had them repeat those same scenarios from the top of the tower at the air assault school.”

Teaching FRIES is just another step in developing techniques that will enhance the flexibility of air-assault operations. If time is of the essence or space is limited, the tactical application of FRIES techniques can make the difference.

“FRIES allows the ground force to get into areas that would be unsuitable to land an actual helicopter,” said Bradley. “For a long time, everyone thought FRIES was a big deal, but as long as you go through the proper procedures, you go through the proper training, it isn't any different than rappelling out of a helicopter. By far this will enhance the 101st Airborne Div. because it gets the scouts and other forward elements onto the ground first.”

Having the flexibility to use different techniques to adapt to a broad array of situations is what air assault is all about.

“Development of the Division's tactical FRIES capability provide options to commanders to insert and retrieve forces into terrain not suitable for air-land operations,” said Degliuomini. “This capability increases our ability to conduct reconnaissance, support downed-aircraft operations, and insert ground forces into urban environments. We serve to build and sustain the 101st Airborne Division's capability as the only air assault division in the world, providing the premier force projection capability our Army needs.”

• Date Taken: 09.15.2014
• Date Posted: 10.20.2014 15:53
• Story ID: 145547
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL , KY, US
• Hometown: CLARKSVILLE, TN, US
• Hometown: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US
• Hometown: HOPKINSVILLE, KY, US