thedrifter
10-15-04, 05:59 AM
Marines slide through hellhole, master helo course
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 20041012214619
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — (Oct. 8, 2004) -- A squad of Marines slides to the ground on a rope attached to a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter hovering nearly 100 feet off of the ground. They quickly assemble and head out on their assigned mission.
This was the final phase of the Helicopter and Rope Suspension Training Master Course for 12 Marines with the Special Reaction Team of Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, who graduated Oct. 8.
The course gave these Marines the credentials to teach their own units how to rappel or fast rope in different situations, whether it be off cliffs or out of helicopters. They also learned to plan insertions and extractions from helicopters, according to Sgt. Seth Strow, a HRST instructor for Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Using a rope is fast and efficient when inserting combat troops into a landing zone that helicopters can't land in, according to Strow. Marines can rappel out of a helicopter while safely hooked up to a suspended rope or use the quicker method of fast roping by simply wrapping their legs around the rope and sliding down.
Marines can also extract, or depart their area of operations, by attaching themselves to a rope lowered from a helicopter, according to Strow.
The HRST Master Course consisted of five days of rappelling and fast roping from a tower and five days of rappelling and fast roping from a helicopter.
The first week of training on the tower helps the Marines build confidence and gives instructors time to fine tune each student before moving further in the course, according to Gunnery Sgt. Jerry D. Robertson, the chief HRST instructor with SOTG.
During the helicopter portion of the course, the class of 12 conducted a combined 134 rappels out of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter, according to Strow.
“The Marines had to conduct a minimum of two slick rappels (with no extra equipment) and two combat load rappels from the rear of the helicopter and hell hole,” Strow said.
The hellhole Strow referred to is an affectionate term for the opening in the floor of some helicopters.
The students focused on mastering procedures and techniques, such as sending Marines out of the helicopter and rigging systems, which includes tying the ropes to the helicopter for fast
roping and rappelling, according to Strow.
“Rappelling from a helicopter is a lot different (than rappelling) from the tower,” Strow said. “You can’t talk to each other because of the noise, and the helicopter moves around, which makes it very dangerous.”
Stepping over the ramp is the most intense part of rappelling, according to Cpl. Ross Moore, a reconnaissanceman with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. However, he said the hardest part of the course is the quick pace.
“They will teach you a system, and the next day you will get tested on it,” Moore said.
The HRST Master Course has an average drop rate of 50 percent, according to Strow.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20041012214841/$file/Release0496-2004-06low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Military policeman Staff Sgt. Jason L. Fry rappels from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter here Oct. 6 during the Helicopter and Rope Suspension Training Master Course. Fry was among 12 Marines with the Special Reaction Team of Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, who graduated from the course Oct. 8. Rowe is with the Provost Marshal’s Office. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20041012215059/$file/Release0496-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Reconnaissanceman Cpl. John R. Reynolds rappels from a CH-46E Sea Knight here Oct. 6 during the Helicopter and Rope Suspension Training Master Course. Reynolds was among 12 Marines with the Special Reaction Team of Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, who graduated from the course Oct. 8. Reynolds is with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9EC66392BCAD11A985256F2C0009BBD3?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 20041012214619
Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — (Oct. 8, 2004) -- A squad of Marines slides to the ground on a rope attached to a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter hovering nearly 100 feet off of the ground. They quickly assemble and head out on their assigned mission.
This was the final phase of the Helicopter and Rope Suspension Training Master Course for 12 Marines with the Special Reaction Team of Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, who graduated Oct. 8.
The course gave these Marines the credentials to teach their own units how to rappel or fast rope in different situations, whether it be off cliffs or out of helicopters. They also learned to plan insertions and extractions from helicopters, according to Sgt. Seth Strow, a HRST instructor for Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Using a rope is fast and efficient when inserting combat troops into a landing zone that helicopters can't land in, according to Strow. Marines can rappel out of a helicopter while safely hooked up to a suspended rope or use the quicker method of fast roping by simply wrapping their legs around the rope and sliding down.
Marines can also extract, or depart their area of operations, by attaching themselves to a rope lowered from a helicopter, according to Strow.
The HRST Master Course consisted of five days of rappelling and fast roping from a tower and five days of rappelling and fast roping from a helicopter.
The first week of training on the tower helps the Marines build confidence and gives instructors time to fine tune each student before moving further in the course, according to Gunnery Sgt. Jerry D. Robertson, the chief HRST instructor with SOTG.
During the helicopter portion of the course, the class of 12 conducted a combined 134 rappels out of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter, according to Strow.
“The Marines had to conduct a minimum of two slick rappels (with no extra equipment) and two combat load rappels from the rear of the helicopter and hell hole,” Strow said.
The hellhole Strow referred to is an affectionate term for the opening in the floor of some helicopters.
The students focused on mastering procedures and techniques, such as sending Marines out of the helicopter and rigging systems, which includes tying the ropes to the helicopter for fast
roping and rappelling, according to Strow.
“Rappelling from a helicopter is a lot different (than rappelling) from the tower,” Strow said. “You can’t talk to each other because of the noise, and the helicopter moves around, which makes it very dangerous.”
Stepping over the ramp is the most intense part of rappelling, according to Cpl. Ross Moore, a reconnaissanceman with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. However, he said the hardest part of the course is the quick pace.
“They will teach you a system, and the next day you will get tested on it,” Moore said.
The HRST Master Course has an average drop rate of 50 percent, according to Strow.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20041012214841/$file/Release0496-2004-06low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Military policeman Staff Sgt. Jason L. Fry rappels from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter here Oct. 6 during the Helicopter and Rope Suspension Training Master Course. Fry was among 12 Marines with the Special Reaction Team of Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, who graduated from the course Oct. 8. Rowe is with the Provost Marshal’s Office. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20041012215059/$file/Release0496-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Reconnaissanceman Cpl. John R. Reynolds rappels from a CH-46E Sea Knight here Oct. 6 during the Helicopter and Rope Suspension Training Master Course. Reynolds was among 12 Marines with the Special Reaction Team of Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office and 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, who graduated from the course Oct. 8. Reynolds is with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9EC66392BCAD11A985256F2C0009BBD3?opendocument
Ellie