Fastroping

McD · Post by **McD** » April 1st, 2004, 5:12 am

Odin/Anybody,
When did they start Fast Roping? We never did, always rappelling. I remember the SAS was doing some fast Roping at the time and there were discussions about doing it.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:08 pm

I believe they started roping in the mid 80's. Don't quote me on that.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:17 pm

I don't know when it started, but it was my favorite thing to do. I hated jumping but I loved roping. After they put the 60ft tower in the woods on the other side of the PT field, I always got to chase the newbies down the rope. It was a good motivator for them to get down as quick as possible.

Looon · Post by **Looon** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:32 pm

The first time we got alerted to go to Panama, we practiced our insertion and mission at Mckenna. The door guy, Spec 4 w/tab (don't remember his name) did the rope with no gloves on. DOOOOOOOOOAH. The guy to go out second, realized too late, that he didn't have his gloves on. He turned around and gave the One Minute sign, then the 30 second sign. I guess that was when it was noticed. The rope was kicked out and away he went. I believe it was about a 60 or 70 ft rope.

After the mission was over, he told us about his fuckup. Both hands were bandaged. I guess he fucked em up good. He said he let go of the rope around halfway down. Ouch.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:36 pm

So who had to wipe his ass for him for the next 2 weeks?

Looon · Post by **Looon** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:37 pm

That is a good question.

I just know it wasn't me.

McD · Post by **McD** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:42 pm

It has always looked like a lot of fun. Wish I could have tried it.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:49 pm

when I first got to Batt I hated it. I would have rather have jumped than roped. But after my sqd leader made the sqd do it a shit load of times it didn't bother me anymore. As long as I'm the rope master i love.

Blacksrt4 · Post by **Blacksrt4** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:54 pm

Do you go to fastrope school, or is it part of air assault school?

Looon · Post by **Looon** » April 2nd, 2004, 2:58 pm

They give you gloves and a rope to go down. That's it. The only schooling you may get, is watching someone demonstrate how it is done.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » April 2nd, 2004, 3:06 pm

Rangers don't go to Air Assault school. If a Ranger has his Air assault wings it is because he got them in another unit.

Blacksrt4 · Post by **Blacksrt4** » April 2nd, 2004, 3:10 pm

Oh ok, yeah my Dad was telling me when he went to Air Asault, they kept getting smoked becuase they had a guy who was Airborne and everytime they got droped he would keep yelling out AIRBORNE!!!! I guess its safe to say there is a rivalry?

Looon · Post by **Looon** » April 2nd, 2004, 3:10 pm

Air assault school isn't on the top of the 'most wanted school' list. If you know what I mean.

Parabellum · Post by **Parabellum** » April 2nd, 2004, 3:16 pm

We refer to it as "His and Her Jump wings" or the "Bullwinkle Badge"

Blacksrt4 · Post by **Blacksrt4** » April 3rd, 2004, 1:09 am

h8train1/75 wrote:We refer to it as "His and Her Jump wings" or the "Bullwinkle Badge"