Fast rope

MCRP 3-11.4A

Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Operations

U.S. Marine Corps
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

PCN 144 000108 00

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY Headquarters United States Marine Corps Washington, D.C. 20380-1775 13 August 2003 FOREWORD Helicopter rope suspension techniques (HRST) provide Marines with the ability toconduct helicopter insertions and extractions where helicopter landings are impractical. Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-11.4A, Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Operations, establishes standards; serves as a guide for the realistic and safe training of Marines in HRST skills; and outlines the techniques, procedures, and equipment used to perform HRST. It is not intended toteach the basics of rope training or the basics of rappelling as they apply to cliff assault. MCRP 3-11.4A applies to all Marines involved in HRST operations. It delineates responsibilities among aircrews and HRST personnel regarding the installation and maintenance of HRST equipment and the procedures required to conduct HRST operations. To enhance interoperability, the HRST rigging procedures forhelicopters from other Services have been included in this publication. This publication supersedes Fleet Marine Force Manual (FMFM) 7-40, Helicopter Insertion/Extraction, dated 11 May 1992. Reviewed and approved this date. BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

EDWARD HANLON, JR. Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General Marine Corps Combat Development CommandPublication Control Number: 144 000108 00 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

To Our Readers Changes: Readers of this publication are encouraged to submit suggestions and changes that will improve it. Recommendations may be sent directly to Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Doctrine Division (C 42), 3300 Russell Road, Suite318A, Quantico, VA 22134-5021 or by fax to 703-784-2917 (DSN 278-2917) or by E-mail to morgann@mccdc.usmc.mil. Recommendations should include the following information: • Location of change Publication number and title Current page number Paragraph number (if applicable) Line number Figure or table number (if applicable) Nature of change Add, delete Proposed new text, preferably doublespaced andtypewritten Justification and/or source of change

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Additional copies: A printed copy of this publication may be obtained from Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, GA 317045001, by following the instructions in MCBul 5600, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications Status. An electronic copy may be obtained from the Doctrine Division, MCCDC, world wide web home page which is found at the followinguniversal reference locator: http://www.doctrine.usmc.mil.

Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both men and women are included.

HELICOPTER ROPE SUSPENSION TECHNIQUES (HRST) OPERATIONS
Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction
Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unit Commander . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HRST Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Insert Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aircraft Commander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crew Chief . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crew Coordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Briefings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications and HRST Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....