Island Warriors learn the ropes

[thedrifter]

Island Warriors learn the ropes
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 2003728122441
Story by Sgt. Joseph A. Lee



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(July 17, 2003) -- Golf Company, 2nd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment, qualified a group of new Marines for insertion operations as it practiced "elevator ops," fast roping several times from a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter July 17 at LZ Boondocker.

According to 1st Lt. John Poore, executive officer of Golf, 2/3, the new Marines recently came to the unit directly from the School of Infantry.

"These Marines have never jumped from a helo before," said Poore. "It is a lot different than fast roping from a tower because the wash comes down on top of you as you slide down the rope; it pushes on you and you end up going faster than you expect."

The new Marines of Golf Co. spent the afternoon making three helicopter ropes to gain their initial, 30-day qualification after spending the previous day practicing on the tower, which, according to Poore, is required before Marines are introduced to the helicopters.

"This is intense!" said Pfc. Andrew Cavanaugh of Bozeman, Mont., a rifleman with Golf Co. "There's no time to think like on the tower; you just go!"

The training was fast and loud, with the two Sea Stallions side by side conducting the repetitive elevator drills.

Helicopter rope suspension training masters littered the field and led the Marines in, out and around the helicopters while training was being conducted. They, along with medical personnel, were on hand to treat any sort of injury.

"The other HRST masters and I give these guys hours of training before they come out here, and we have our eyes on everyone at all times," said Cpl. Brian Moyster, a Golf Co. HRST master. "Safety always comes first; we don't want to see any Marines get injured."

"Each Marine will probably go up about nine times," said Poore. "Once the Marines get broken in, we like to get them out at least once per month for refresher training."

"In about a week and a half, we'll be doing this same thing on a live-fire range, so we'll be working with the skills these Marines are learning today."

Private First Class Mitchell Drew, a rifleman with Golf Co., from Rice Lake, Wis., said of the training, "I loved getting up there in the helo, but the balance is pretty tricky."

Mitchell's comments echoed Poore's, "It's a lot different than fast roping from a tower!"




A "stick" of Marines who are new to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, board a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter. The Marines will be coming down by way of a "fast rope," once as the unit practices insertion operations.
Photo by: Sgt. Joseph A. Lee




Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, leathernecks, who are new to the unit, come down the "elevator" of a CH-53D Sea Stallion, one right after the next during insertion training at LZ Boondocker aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. They were guided out to the way on-ground by a helicopter rope suspension training master, or an HRST.
Photo by: Sgt. Joseph A. Lee


Sempers,

Roger