MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —Marines with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 flew two MV-22B Ospreys to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., to support the Infantry Officers Course in familiarizing the next generation of infantry officers with Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques, Feb. 28.
This was the second stage of the crawl-walk-run training with the Osprey, said Maj. Christopher Meixell, VMX-22 director of safety and standardization.
The officers’ first exposure to the Osprey was earlier in the month when the Osprey pilots performed elevator drills, said Meixell. The Osprey loaded the 38 Marines and lifted off 30 feet in the air. The infantry officers practiced sliding down the rope attached to the aircraft during the day and at night. Marines gradually increased their load until they were comfortable using the fast rope with a full combat load.
On Feb. 28, the Marines practiced fast roping into an urban environment with a full combat load and their rifles.
“While the MV-22B is authorized to hover from 20-40 feet during fast rope, the troops are most comfortable executing from 30 feet,” said Meixell. “Above that, the ropers have difficulty controlling their speed. Below that, the in-ground-effect rotor wash pushes the rope too far aft, making it difficult for the first-proper to slide down vertically.”
Lance Cpl. Adrian Cruze, VMX-22 crew chief, said that the HRST master and the crew chief work together to ensure the safety of the officers. The aviation Marines successfully inserted the ground Marines at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain facility aboard Quantico.
The Marines cleared the town and simulated gathering intelligence for future operations.
“When it comes to fast-rope ops in the MV-22B, there is a hesitation among many infantrymen serving in the fleet today,” said Meixell. “The director of IOC seeks to generate enthusiasm among the future infantry officers, so that they can better capitalize on the capabilities this aircraft provides them as they transition from the (Operation Enduring Freedom) mission to the more traditional Marine Corps mission of expeditionary warfare in the littoral regions, especially urban settings where adequate landing zones may not exist.”