RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A U.S. Marine who died and 11 comrades who sustained injuries were taking part in a helicopter ropes exercise that’s described as “high-risk” in a training manual that underscores the dangers.
The Marine Corps has scheduled a news conference Friday morning to offer more details about what happened when the helicopter had to land harder and faster than normal during training at Camp Lejeune, resulting in the injuries and death. The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter made the hard landing around 9 p.m. Wednesday in a training area known as Stone Bay, military officials said.
About 20 Marines were participating in the training that requires them to exit through the back of the helicopter using suspended ropes, according to a news release. The technique allows Marines to enter and exit terrain where helicopter landings would be difficult.
A 2003 edition of the Marines’ manual for Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques acknowledges the dangers, warning of the potential for injury or death. It also discusses how nighttime operations can be a challenge, lays out safety procedures and primes Marines on how wind from the helicopter’s rotors can affect them.
It’s not clear if those factors played a role. The Marines have declined to say what may have caused the hard landing, or whether the Marines were in the aircraft, on ropes or on the ground.