text: Chapter 5
  4. During the extraction, the team RTO maintains communications with the extraction
  helicopter. He verbally confirms the thumbs-up signal and relays any other relevant
  information during the flight. He should position himself near or at the bottom hookup point.
  This ensures he can give accurate information about the extraction, the clearing of obstacles,
  and the descent.
  5. The extraction aircraft must lift off vertically until the SPIES rope clears all obstacles. If
  needed, team members can fire their individual weapons from the hip with their barrels
  directed downward at a 45-degree angle and outward from the team.
  6. Once the aircraft clears any vertical obstacles, the RTO, who is the lowest Soldier on the
  SPIES rope, signals the pilot all team members have cleared the obstacle. This is especially
  important during limited visibility. Even if the pilot uses night vision goggles, his depth
  perception is poor when looking 120 feet below the aircraft.
  7. On descent, both the RTO and the SPIES master inform the pilot of his altitude, drift, and
  forward speed. They also tell him whether their ropes are oscillating enough to potentially
  injure team members on impact. The RTO counts down in 10-foot increments ("Fifty, forty,
  thirty, twenty, ten, nine, eight…one; one man down, two…") until the whole team is down.
  During limited visibility, the SPIES master might not be able to see this.
  8. Once the team is on the ground, the SPIES master monitors drift. Sudden lateral shifts can
  drag team members before they can disconnect from their ropes.
  WATER-EXTRACTION PROCEDURE
  5-39. The SPIES also works well for extracting LRS teams from the water. Three inflatable life vests or
  other flotation devices are attached to the SPIES; one to each end of the attachment points, and one to the
  middle of the attachment point area, just above the middle two sets of "D" rings. Each team member wears
  a SPIES harness under his life vest. In amphibious operations, he may also wear swim fins, mask, and
  snorkel. This simplifies hookup to the SPIES rope in the chop and spray caused by the helicopter.
  1. After the pilot stabilizes the aircraft above the team members, he gives the order and the
  SPIES master drops the SPIES rope (with flotation attached).
  2. When the team members finish hooking up to the SPIES rope, the team leader signals the
  SPIES master to start liftoff.
  3. The aircraft must lift off vertically until all team members and the bottom end of the rope
  clear the water. During initial liftoff, the aircraft may drag team members through the water.
  They must be ready to roll onto their backs until the aircraft lifts them clear of the water.
  4. The aircraft should fly at the same speed and altitude as it would over land. Dismounting
  procedures also remain the same, except for shipboard landings: on a ship, all team members
  take their orders from the personnel in charge of the deck.
  PERSONNEL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  5-40. SPIES training and operations require the designation of key personnel to perform assigned tasks.
  The positions are unit commander, SPIES master, ground safety officer (GSO) or NCO, air mission
  commander, and pilot in command.
  QUALIFICATIONS OF SPIES MASTER
  5-41. Selection of personnel for qualification as SPIES master should be based on the individual's
  demonstrated leadership capabilities, maturity, and knowledge of SPIES operations. Individuals selected
  must participate in at least three SPIES operations (observe twice and execute SPIES master duties once
  under the supervision by a qualified SPIES master). For example, the SPIES master candidate configures
  the hookups in the helicopter, helps prepare for an operation, and conducts a successful operation under the
  supervision of a qualified SPIES master. He must be able to give an effective pilot's brief, use the aircraft