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Force Recon Weathers Rough Seas during Wet SPIE Mission

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan (Oct 16) -- As the 9th typhoon of the season blew south of the island churning the waters of the pacific recently, most fishermen, divers and small craft operators remained ashore. However, Marines of 5th Force Reconnaissance Bn.'s Co. A, took the opportunity to practice insertion and extraction missions from the extremely rough waters.
The 8-foot swells caused by the passing storm ruled out the possibility of extracting the Recon Marines by boat, but that wasn't the plan anyway.

Members of 2nd Platoon boarded CH-53E "Sea Knight" helicopters here and headed out to sea. As the helos reached their objective, the Marines helo-casted, jumping two-at-a-time into the raging tempest below.

Swimming against a strong current with only the fins on their feet to propel them, the Marines rallied and awaited the return of the helo - this time to pull them from the sea and return them to dry land.

Special Purpose Insertion/Extraction, or SPIE, is one way Marines can be dropped into or taken out of an area inaccessible by other means. The technique involves using a long rope attached to the bottom of a helo. Marines attach themselves to the rope and are lifted and carried through the air for quick insertion or extraction.

In this scenario, the Marines had just completed a mission ashore, and were awaiting extraction from the water.
"Tactical extraction from the water is a great way to be taken out of an area," said Cpl. Daniel S. Wright, assistant team leader, 2nd Platoon. "We just put our fins on, swim out into the water, and wait for the bird."

In the water, the Marines are less likely to become targets of retaliatory fire, and therefore are better protected as they await air transportation, Wright explained.

"We try to do this type of training at least once a month," said 1st Lt. Brian K. Cockriel, company commander, H&S Co., 5th Force Recon Bn. "Wet SPIE is one of the most difficult extractions to perform, and the rough ocean provided us with very realistic training."

Wet SPIE is difficult, Cockriel explained, because the Marines need to connect themselves to the extraction rope, while keeping the rope straight, and staying afloat and together in the high swells.

Wright stressed the importance of the "buddy system" in exercises like this, and said it took a lot of time and patience to make sure everything was right.

"Teamwork is real important in a mission like this," said Wright. "That's what everything around here is all about - making sure everyone is ready to go."



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