MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- More than 40 Marine reservists, one Navy reservist and 30 officers from Combat Service Support Group 3, at MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, made the trip across the flightline to West Field Dec. 6, to participate in some adventure training.
The reservists came from all over the United States to spend their annual two weeks of active service aboard K-bay during the holidays. They will support many active Marines station-ed here that are expected to take leave in the next month.
The CSSG-3 officers have participated in a variety of training exercises, ranging from hikes to live-fire ranges, said Capt. Paul Zambelli, S-3 training officer for CSSG-3. This was another evolution that allowed the officers to take part in as much different training as possible.
"For most of the officers, this was the first time they have taken part in this evolution. Some had done it maybe one time before," Zambelli said.
"The Marines, both officer and enlisted, handled the training admirably. This was a great opportunity to take part in training that most Marines may not get a chance to do again," he added.
The day's training regimen consisted of only one training evolution: SPIE rigging.
Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction rigging is designed to be used when the terrain or situation of an area prevents aircraft from touching down in the area where personnel need to be either drop-ped off or picked up.
With air support provided by the HMH-463 Pegasus, the Marines were strapped, 10 at a time, to the bottom of a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter.
They were then lifted 450 feet off of the ground for a flyover of part of the base and Kaneohe Bay itself at a speed of 70 knots.
"We are taking training to a level that has probably never been reached before in a support element," said Staff Sgt. Edgar Catala, training instructor and HRST master at CSSG-3.
As always, safety was a huge consideration to the training evolution when the instructors were working with the Marines.
Not only were the Marines decked out in Kevlar helmets and safety goggles, but each group of SPIE riggers was taken aside and given a class on how to rig up.
Marines wore safety ropes underneath their harnesses as an added precaution in case the harnesses failed.
Each Marine was checked by an instructor, in order to make sure that everything was in its proper place before takeoff.
At the time of liftoff, instructors individually attached the Marines the SPIE rigging rope on the bottom of the helo.
"It is important to understand that CCSG-3 has come a long way since Col. Adams took command," said Catala, in praise of Col. Paul Adams, commanding officer of CSSG-3.
"We began with basic leadership principles and moved on to preparations for a 25-mile hike. We've accomplished tasks with extreme confidence and really exploited the first word in CSSG, Combat.
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow," Catala added.
The Marines seemed to enjoy their time training for the day. Each time a helo would lift off, they would shout and wave to their fellow servicemembers leaving the ground.
As the helo returned, the Marines had to hit the deck running to make sure everyone got down safe. Several of the Marines fell, but no one was hurt during the evolution.
"You gotta try that," one reservist said. "That was the ride of a lifetime."
"Any training the reservists get is extremely important. They will be able to leave here with a better understanding of SPIE operation," said Catala. "Just talking to them, I don't think they'll ever forget hanging from a helicopter over Hawaii."