Sixty Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment,

Sixty Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment, descended from the skies during fast-rope training, March 23. The training exercise was designed to build and increase confidence in the Marines, many of whom have never fast-roped. Fast roping is a technique used to insert personnel into area where a helicopter can’t land. It is the preferred method of placement rather than rappelling because of its overall efficiency, effectiveness and ease of installation. “This training is a confidence builder for the Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Javier Sanchez, training chief and Echo Company, 2/7. “The more confidence you build the better off you will be in a combat zone.”
Most of the students have only fast-roped from a stationary platform or building. Getting used to a moving machine and unpredictable actions was a change of pace. The exercise was equally beneficial to pilots of HMM-364, also known as the Purple Foxes. They practiced hovering at minimum altitudes to clear obstacles but not so low that their down wash adversely affected the rope or Marines. They unloaded Marines from heights of 10-20 feet to as high as 60 feet.