text: Insertion and Extraction Methods
  9. As the aircraft flies over, each swimmer hooks the lowest rung on the ladder with his leading
  arm and climbs to a designated height, where he hooks up (with snaplink and rope seat) to
  the ladder.
  10. All CH-46 or CH-47 aircraft land in the water. If using a rubber boat with a motor, the team
  drives the boat up to the ramp. When the rubber boat is not using a motor, the cast master
  uses the aircraft's winch to lower a rope with a 10-pound-padded weight attached to it. He
  lowers the rope behind the boat and drags the rope over it. The swimmers secure the rope,
  and the winch pulls the boat in.
  11. When swimmers are in the water without a boat, they either go up a ladder or, if the aircraft is
  on the water, they swim up to the ramp.
  12. For SPIES recovery, swimmers put on their harnesses before the helicopter arrives. The
  helicopter hovers over the group of swimmers as they attach their harnesses to the "D" ring.
  5-29. Due to the hazards involved, the leader emphasizes safety in all aspects of planning and executing
  helicopter casting and recovery operations:
  • Immediately before a helocast and recovery operation, the leader—
  — Physically reconnoiters the casting area.
  — Verifies water depth and the absence of obstacles and debris.
  • He ensures that the water is at least 15 feet deep.
  • He ensures motorized safety boats are in the water with motors.
  • He establishes radio voice communications between the safety boats and the drop aircraft.
  • He ensures the cast master has voice communications with the pilot.
  • He ensures one dive supervisor and two divers, with complete scuba gear, are in a safety boat.
  • He ensures that a qualified medic/dive medical technician is in one of the safety boats.
  • He ensures drop altitude stays within 10 feet of the surface of the water.
  • He ensures drop speed remains at or slower than 10 knots indicated airspeed.
  • If an injury occurs, the leader ceases until he determines the cause and extent of the injury.
  Section II. HELICOPTER OPERATIONS
  Helicopters provide a variety of methods for inserting and extracting teams. (FM 3-05.210, TC 21-24 and
  USASOC Reg 350-6 provide more information.) This section only covers the operational requirements and
  procedures for SPIES, FRIES, Army aviation, air assault, pick-up and landing zones, and the UH-60 loading
  sequence. Training requirements are covered in FM 3-05.210 and USASOC Reg 350-6.
  SPECIAL PATROL INSERTION/EXTRACTION SYSTEM
  5-30. The SPIES should be used only when the team needs immediate extraction or cannot move to a
  clear (open) position suitable for helicopter landing. The SPIES works best for extracting LRS teams over
  short distances. Teams are almost never inserted by SPIES because doing so would expose them to
  observation and fire throughout the insertion. Before a SPIES operation, the leader thoroughly briefs
  participants. Before inserting, the team receives extensive training in SPIES operations. Personnel
  supporting the SPIES operation receive a complete preoperational briefing. This is most crucial when the
  operation involves assets other than the extraction helicopter such as gunships, aerial observers, or artillery.