CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan --
Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and the Jungle Warfare Training Center performed fast-rope drills at landing zone Hansen at Camp Hansen April 19.
During the drills, the Marines learned how to properly plan, rig and execute helicopter rope suspension techniques from instructors with Special Operations Training Group.
The Marines completed the fast-rope drills as the final part of a two-week helicopter rope suspension techniques course, said Sgt. John W. Hooser III, the lead HRST instructor with SOTG, III MEF Headquarters Group, III MEF.
“The Marines built up to the training by completing several exercises familiarizing them with all the operations of HRST,” said Hooser.
As part of the course, the Marines learned the basics of planning an HRST operation.
“HRST operations (allow Marines to be inserted into an area) where helicopter landing is not possible,” said Hooser. “The Marines learned how to coordinate all of the responsibilities to make an HRST operation possible.”
The students learned how to plan everything from coordinating with the helicopter crew to planning a landing zone. Before the students could execute the fast-rope techniques from a helicopter, they practiced at a training tower.
“We needed to get ourselves familiarized with the techniques and commands of fast-roping before going out and doing the real thing,” said Cpl. Ryan K. Fitzgerald, a reconnaissance man with 3rd Recon. Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
During the training, the students learned how to grasp the rope and control their descent, by wrapping their arms and legs around the rope, said Hooser.
“It is important for the students to learn to hang onto the rope before descending and not lunge or jump for it,” said Hooser. “This act ensures the Marines get (to) the ground safely.”
Once the Marines became proficient at the practice tower, they began live drills from a helicopter.
They started first at an elevation of 20 feet before moving to an elevation of 40 feet, descending two at a time to simulate real-world operations.
The Marines continued the drills until all of the students became efficient and comfortable with fast-roping, said Hooser.
After all Marines completed fast-roping drills several times, the HRST operation training course was complete.
“With the completion of this course, the Marines are now qualified to plan and execute HRST operations,” said Hooser. “They have the knowledge and skill to conduct HRST operations whenever and wherever they are needed.”