Service members master Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques

Marines aboard Okinawa and coastguardsmen from Hawaii broadened their skill sets as they participated in the 11-day Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques Masters Course on Camp Hansen and the Central Training Area.

The course, primarily designed for reconnaissance Marines, provides the students with the skills and knowledge to perform tactical insertions and extractions in areas inaccessible to vehicles and where landing an aircraft is not possible.

Upon completion of the course, the students will be qualified as HRST masters and have the ability to rig all suspension systems to an aircraft and guide others through the operation.

"When (Marines) can't get to an area because landing their aircraft is impracticable, they go straight to HRST operations," said Sgt. Brandon Gayle, a HRST instructor at III Marine Expeditionary Force Special Operations Training Group. "When they complete this course they'll be able to safely and efficiently conduct HRST operations and get all the Marines to the fight."

HRST operations include fast roping, rappelling and Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction. The students learned these techniques and applied them from various aircraft including the CH-46E Sea Knight, CH-53E Super Stallion, UH-1N Huey and the Air Force's HH-60 Pave Hawk.

The training consisted of 10 hours of class time, 40 hours of rigging systems and 30 hours of practical application from actual aircraft.

The students' take away from this training is knowledge of how to guide others through HRST operations safely and set up the equipment for insertion or extraction properly, Gayle said.

Apart from learning the proper techniques and rigging, the students also had to learn the mechanics and physics of the rigging, such as the tensile strength on certain cords and the proper insertion of carabineers.

"They have to know everything that's going on with the operation. Things like inspecting the ropes and knowing the load capacity are very important," said Sgt. Julio Montemayor, an assistant HRST instructor at III MEF SOTG. "They have other peoples' lives in their hands; knowing everything will keep them from putting their teammates' lives in danger.

Attention to detail is very important throughout this course."

By Lance Cpl. J Nava, Marine Corps Bases Japan