Marines fast rope their way into urban terrain exercises

A small group of Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marines fast roped out of two Navy Sea Combat Squadron 25 MH-60 helicopters April 6 in preparation for upcoming Realistic Urban Terrain Exercises held on Guam.

Not only did the operation allow the Marines to work closely with Navy pilots and crew chiefs, it provided a chance for the Marines to keep up their qualifications as Helicopter Rope Suspension Training masters, said Col. Michael Langley, SOTG officer in charge. Many of the specialized skills SOTG Marines have are perishable, he said.

“You can’t learn how to do something and not use the skill without some regression,” he added.

A RUTEX is a realistic urban training exercise where SOTG Marines evaluate how well Marines attached to a Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct operations in an urban environment.

“Okinawa is a small island with limited areas where we can conduct RUTEXs, so getting the Marines into a new environment just ensures they are getting the best training they can,” said Lt. Col. Rafford Coleman, SOTG assistant officer in charge.

During the day’s events, HSC-25 sailors and SOTG Marines were able to survey the area where one situational training exercise of RUTEX 10-1 took place and where at least one Situational Training Exercise may take place during RUTEX 10-2 later this year. They also practiced landing two helicopters together on multiple areas around the island.

After two practice landings, the pilots swung back around and let the SOTG Marines practice their fast roping skills to keep up their qualifications. This also allowed the SOTG Marines to evaluate the difficulty of the fast rope as Maritime Raid Force Marines attached to the 31st MEU were expected to do the same during exercises on the island.

At the end of the day, the 31st MEU command decided it would fit the scenario written for STX-3 of RUTEX 10-1 better if the Navy pilots landed the helicopters in LZ Median instead of fast roping Marines into the scenario.

The Maritime Raid Force Marines successfully accomplished the mission set up for them by the SOTG Marines for RUTEX 10-1 April 8.

By Cpl. Rebekka S. Heite, Marine Corps Bases Japan