Helicoptier Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Operations

1 HelicoptierRopeMCRP 3-114 ASuspensionTechniques (HRST) OperationsDIS TRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is 14400010800US Marine CorpsTo Our ReadersChanges: Readers of this publication are encouraged to submit suggestions and changes thatwifl improve it. Recommendations may be sent directly to Commanding General, MarineCorps Combat Development Command, Doctrine Division (C 42), 3300 Russell Road, Suite31 8A. Quantico, VA 22134-5021 or by fax to 703-784-2917 (DSN 278-2917) or by E-mail Recommendations should include the following information: Location of changePublication number and titleCurrent page numberParagraph number (if applicable)Line numberFigure or table number (if applicable) Nature of changeAdd, deleteProposed new text, preferably double-spaced and typewritten Justification and/or source of changeAdditional copies.

2 A printed copy of this publication may be obtained from Marine CorpsLogistics Base, Albany, GA 3 1704-5001, by following the instructions in MCBuI 5600,Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications Status. An electronic copy may be obtained from theDoctrine Division, MCCDC, world wide web home page which is found at the following uni-versal reference locator: otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used,both men and women are OF THE NAVYH eadquarters United States Marine CorpsWashington, 20380-177513 August 2003 FOREWORDH elicopter rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) provide Marines with the ability toconduct helicopter insertions and extractions where helicopter landings are Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-1 , Helicopter Rope SuspensionTechniques (HRST) Operations , establishes standards.

3 Serves as a guide for the realisticand safe training of Marines in HRST skills; and outlines the Techniques , procedures, andequipment used to perform HRST. It is not intended to teach the basics of rope training orthe basics of rappelling as they apply to cliff 3-1 applies to all Marines involved in HRST Operations . It delineatesresponsibilities among aircrews and HRST personnel regarding the installation andmaintenance of HRST equipment and the procedures required to conduct HRST Operations . To enhance interoperability, the HRST rigging procedures for helicoptersfrom other Services have been included in this publication supersedes Fleet Marine Force Manual (FMFM) 7-40, HelicopterInsertion/Extraction, dated 11 May and approved this DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE General, Corps Combat Dcv 1nent CommandPuHication Control Number: 144 000108 00 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is ROPE SUSPENSIONTECHNIQUES (HRST) OPERATIONSC hapter 1.

4 IntroductionTable of ContentsPersonnelUnit CommanderHRST MasterSafety Insert ChiefCrew CoordinationBriefingsCommunications andSafetyEnvironmental FactorsNight FactorsHelicopter Ropes, Equipment, and KnotsGroundEquipmentRope ManagementGrading a RopeRemoving a Rope From ServiceCoiling a RopeRope and SPIE Equipment StowageStatic Kernmantle RopePlimoor Fast RopeSPIE RopeSPIE Harness AssemblyCargo Suspension Sling with Type IVStubai 85 CarabinerOmega 93 Carabiner10K Locking CarabinerG-12 ClevisRescue 8 DescenderFast Rope Interface KitLeather GlovesSling Rope1 11 11 11-21-31-31-41-41-41-51-51-51-51-71-8 HRST CommandsEquipment and Clothing SafetyAccident Procedures2-12-12-I2-22-32-32-42-42-42-4

5 Connector2-62-62-72-72-72-82-82-82-9ivMC RP Handle MacheteRope Storage BatVario Sit HarnessJacob's LadderAviation EquipmentSchiomer FrameFast Rope GantryFast Rope Anchor BarA-frame Fast Rope Attachment BarKnotsEnd of Rope KnotsAnchor KnotsMiddle of the Rope Knot: FigureSpecialty KnotsChapter3. Tower TrainingTrainingPhasesSafety Personnel and EquipmentPreparationRappelFast RopeInspectionSafety ProceduresConduct of TrainingSafety BriefDemonstrationTower Rappel ProceduresTower Skid RappelTower Fast Rope Procedures2-92-92-92-92-92-102-102-102-1 22-122-132-132-142-152-153-13-13-I3-13-1 3-13-23-23-23-23-23-33-3 FamiliarizationSafetyRequired Personnel and EquipmentRope Deployment MethodsRigging/Hook UpRiggingthe UH-1 NRigging the CH-46 ERigging the CH-53D!

6 ERigging the H-47 4. Helicopter Rappelling Operations4-14-14-14-14-24-24-34-4fIRST OperationsVRiggingthe H-60 HelicopterHook UpRoper ResponsibilitiesSequence of EventsCf{-46E and CH-53E Hell Hole RappelCH-46E, CH-53D/E, and H-47 Ramp RappelCH-46E, CH-53D, and H-47 Crew Door RappelUH-1N and H-60 RappelEmergency ProceduresHelicopter EmergencyUnsafe Drift of Premature Lift OffLost Communications/ICS FailureHung RoperFouled RopeChapter5. Fast Rope OperationsFamiliarizationSafetyRequired Personnel and EquipmentPrecautionsRope RequirementsRestrictionsRiggingRigging the UH-INRigging the CH-46 ERigging the CH-53 DRigging the CH-53 ERigging the H-47 HelicopterRigging the H-60 HelicopterRoper ResponsibilitiesSequence of EventsCH-46E, CH-53D, CH-53D/E Hell Hole,and H-47 Ramp/Crew Door Fast RopeUH-1N and H-60 Fast RopeEmergency ProceduresHelicopter EmergencyUnsafe Drift of Premature Lift OffLost Communications/ICS FailureFouled RopeChapter6.}

7 Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction OperationsFamiliarization6-1 Safety6-I4-4 4-84-94-9 4-94-10 4-li4-124-134-134-134-134-14 4-145-15-15-15-25-25-25-35-35-45-55-55-6 5-75-85-95-95-105-105-105-115-115-1 1viMCRP Personnel and EquipmentCommunicationsAirspeedAltitudeH ell HoleRigging/Donning the UH- 1 NRigging the CH-46E and CH-Rigging the H-60 EquipmentRoper's ResponsibilitiesHook Up and DismountingSequence of EventsCH-46E and CH-53D!E SPIEUH-lN and H-60 SPIEE mergency ProceduresAircraft EmergencyHung RoperFouled RopeChapter 7.

8 Jacob's Ladder OperationsAppendicesA. HRST Mission Briefs to HRST ParticipantsB. HRST Brief to AircrewC. HRST CommandsD. Rappel Rope LogE. Rappel Tower inspectionF. Tower Safety Brief0. GlossaryH. References and Related Personnel and EquipmentRiggingClimber ResponsibilitiesSequence of EventsEmergency ProceduresAircraft EmergencyHung ClimberFouled LadderUnsafe Drift or Premature Lift OffCHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONH elicopter rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) is ahigh-risk operation that can be conducted safely ifthe contents of this publication are adhered to andcurrent directives are followed.

9 Noncompliancewith this publication or current directives and anyunauthorized modifications or installation of unau-thorized HRST equipment can result in injury ordeath to personnel andior damage to :Thisterm, HRST, modifies the existingterm and is approved for inclusion in the nextedition of Marine Corps Reference Publica-tion (MCRP) 5-12C, Marine Corps Supple-merit to the Department of Defense Dictionaryof Military and Associated this publication, the HRST master'scommands are in bold italic text. All other com-mands are in italic text.

10 Ensuring that HRST within the unit is con-ducted and supervised by an HRST master andsafety insert officer (Sf0) who are certified andcurrent in accordance with MCO Ensuring that all HRST certifications and cur-rency dates are properly recorded ( , in a ser-vice record book, officer qualification record,and/or training record) in accordance withMCO Ensuring that all personnel conducting HRST from a helicopter have successfully completedstatic tower training within the parametersestablished in MCO Ensuring that all HRST equipmentassigned onthe unit's table of equipment is properly main-tained, inspected, and stowed after HRST evolution is the responsibility of allparticipants, from the unit commander to the indi-vidual roper.