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thedrifter
01-16-09, 09:49 AM
Watch out below
Marines tackle heights during HRST Masters Course
Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa (January 16, 2009) -- Marines learned how to properly fast rope, rappel, and perform Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction in the first phase of the 11-day Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques Masters Course on Camp Schwab Jan. 9.

"The course is designed to practice insertion and extraction of service members when a helicopter landing is impractical," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Parish, senior instructor with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Special Operations Training Group. "Landing can be impractical in urban, jungle, or amphibious terrain."

Also, in the first phase of the course, Marines learned policies, procedures, and rope safety in the classroom before moving on to the rappel tower.

Safety precautions included use of the harness and proper braking techniques. Before every rappel, students were instructed by their point master to test their brake technique.

Before rappelling from the tower, students practiced tying each of the knots they learned.

Students then practiced fast roping and rappelling from three different sections of the tower. Each section of the tower is designed to simulate different exit routes located on different types of helicopters.

Before becoming a certified HRST master the students must complete a variety of qualifications and exams to master each section of the course.

Students have a required amount of rappelling before they move on to become a point master of a section. The point master of the section must check the other students' equipment and give them directions before they rappel.

After completing their mastering and knot exams, students moved on to the helicopter techniques phase. During this part of the training students applied everything they learned to rappel out of a helicopter.

The helicopter techniques phase was scheduled to take place on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Hansen.

The students will also take part in night operations training where they practice all of the same techniques, but under the cover of darkness.

"The course is designed for reconnaissance platoons in support of the Marine Expeditionary Unit, however, other units may also need HRST masters," said Parish.

For decades Marines have used rope techniques to safely get in and out of situations with harsh terrain. The present wars are no different.

"These techniques have been used in the current Global War on Terrorism and will continue to be the most effective way to get troops on the ground when it's impossible to land," said Parish.

Ellie