Photo By Staff Sgt. Matthew Britton | A U.S. Air Force paratrooper secures a hoisting line from a U.S.A.F. CV-22 Osprey,...... read more read more
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AMARI, ESTONIA – “One minute!,” a U.S. Air Force Special Operations rope master shouts back to a team of Estonian and U.S. Special Operations Forces from the ramp of a U.S.A.F. CV-22 Osprey with the 352d Special Operations Wing.
“One minute!,” they thunder back over the sound of powerful rotors, as they prepare to fast rope out the back of the aircraft.
U.S. SOF conducted Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System training with their Estonian partners testing the capabilities of the system and how effectively it could be implemented, Dec. 12, 2017.
FRIES is a technique where troops make use of a thick rope to exit an aircraft in places where it cannot land.
“Fast rope insertion and extraction system, most people just call it fast roping,” said the U.S. SOF assistant detachment commander. “That’s getting out of a rotary wing aircraft in an expedient, but controlled manner.”
The system has a wide array of capabilities to offer in real-world scenarios, challenging terrain and the battlespace.
“Think of it as a Leatherman tool,” said the U.S. SOF assistant detachment commander. “Do you need every little screw, wrench and file? Sometimes you do, and like that, the fast rope is a specific skill. It’s a very fast way to get guys on the objective, especially in a confined space. It offers tactical commanders the option to get their guys as close as possible to the X and go after it.”
Having the capability of these tools is also very important to U.S. SOF Estonian partners, whose country is covered with a canopy of trees.
“Estonia is more than half covered with forest,” said an Estonian SOF Operator. “Infilling with the fast rope where an aircraft can’t land is critical to us.”
Although an incredibly useful system to have, there’s a certain amount of risk involved with the actual execution. Training and preparation is crucial to operation success.
“This is categorized as high-risk,” said the U.S. SOF assistant detachment commander. “We really have to think through what we’re going to do, our training, the resources, and if the guys are physically fit and able to conduct the training.”
Sliding down the ropes creates a lot of friction, so having the proper gloves and boots helps mitigate the risk of injury.
“One of the big things that guys overlook is the protective hand wear,” said the U.S. SOF assistant detachment commander. “You’ve got to have the right gloves. There’s so many things that could go wrong, it really does take a lot of insight from the leadership and master trainers to ensure the guys are conducting this high-risk training as safely as possible.”
Working together provides an opportunity for U.S. and Estonian SOF to hone and exchange their skills.
“The Estonians are wonderful partners, said the U.S. SOF assistant detachment commander. “They’re incredibly technically and tactically proficient. They’re very competent peer partners. Working with them has been one of the best experiences in my military career.”
It’s a shared opinion held by both militaries.
“It’s good to have this capability,” said an Estonian SOF Soldier. “But more important, is to work with our partners. To overcome the experience and exchange language. To me, that part is more important than the fast rope itself.”
The multinational training deepens the relationship between U.S. and Estonian SOF while strengthening an already capable force.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.26.2017 03:10 |
| Story ID: | 259784 |
| Location: | AMARI, 37, EE |
| Web Views: | 782 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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