• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

31st MEU Train Fast Rope Techniques on Essex

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061124-02
Release Date: 11/24/2006 11:03:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marvin E. Thompson Jr., USS Essex Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- Marines and Sailors of Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) took the opportunity to do some vital fast-rope training aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) Nov. 15.

With the support of the crew from the MEU’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) and Essex Sailors, Marines were able to fast rode onto the Essex flight deck from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.

Fast-roping is quicker than rappelling and can be more hard-hitting, especially when the personnel are carrying weapons and other combat equipment. The Marines control their descent from the helicopter by gripping the rope with their hands, legs and feet.

“We fast rope to insert troops into a landing zone where you can’t land a helicopter,” said 1st Lt. Michael Burke, the MEU’s tactical recovery of aircraft personnel force commander. “The only thing different between doing this on land or on the ship is we had to account for the ship’s movement,” said Burke.

Navy-Marine Corps teamwork enabled the Marines to complete their training goals.

“I was in charge of the safety of the aircraft and the Marines,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Jessie Tadlock. “Everything went according to plan, the Marines received the training they needed and we were there to help,” added Tadlock.

“Today was a success,” said Burke. “Marines love doing these types of things, and it was great that we had the support of the crew on Essex’s flight deck.”

Showing proficient aptitude through fast rope training allows the MEU personnel to carry out helicopter-borne insertions to prepare them for a number of urban operations they may be called to respond to throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Essex is part of the Forward-Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (FD-ARG), operating out of Sasebo, Japan, which serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.