text: Insertion and Extraction Methods
  4. During extraction, the team RTO maintains communications with the extraction helicopter.
  Because he is near the bottom of the rope with the team leader, he can assist in giving verbal
  confirmation of all light and arm-and-hand signals, and relay information between the team
  leader, the SPIES master and the aircraft crew.
  CAUTION
  Not all chemical lights are visible at night using image intensifying night
  vision devises. Coordination with the pilots during the air mission brief
  to finalize the types and colors of chemical lights to use is required.
  EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
  5-36. During the flight, from the time the team extracts until they safely detach from the SPIES rope,
  each team member watches for any problems that might arise from above or below. The Soldier above
  checks the Soldier below. At the first sign of danger, or if an emergency occurs, the team leader or a team
  member places his free hand on the top of his head. When the SPIES master sees this, he instructs the pilot
  to make an emergency landing in the nearest and safest area.
  DISMOUNTING PROCEDURES
  5-37. When the extraction helicopter has reached a tactically safe dismount area, the pilot transitions to
  a hover and then begins a vertical descent. The SPIES master continuously provides information to the
  pilot on the distance from the ground to the lower end of the SPIES rope. As team members reach the
  ground, they immediately move away from the aircraft. For a UH-60, the team walks to a 90-degree angle
  to the front of the aircraft. For a UH-1, the team walks to the direction of the front of the aircraft. In both
  cases, the pilot or the crew can see the team is out from under the aircraft. The team ensures the SPIES
  rope does not interfere with the aircraft and that the aircraft does not land on the rope. All team members
  rapidly unhook themselves and their teammates who need assistance. Once unhooked, they move away
  from the area and set up security, or help clear the rope if the helicopter is going to land.
  OPERATIONAL TRAINING
  5-38. In preparing for an operation, if the leader thinks the situation, mission, or terrain indicates the
  need for a SPIES extraction, then he should include a SPIES harness in each Soldier's equipment list. If the
  mission or insertion precludes team members from wearing the harnesses, they should carry them inside
  their packs. As soon as they request helicopter extraction, they can retrieve and don their harnesses.
  1. The extraction helicopter(s) proceeds to the area and the pilot establishes radio or visual
  contact with the team. The backup helicopter, equipped with the SPIES, remains aloft and
  away from the area, maintaining visual contact with the LZ and monitoring radio
  communications.
  2. The SPIES master deploys the rope, and then notifies the pilot the rope is out. The pilot
  normally cannot see the team nor determine the most suitable position for the aircraft. The
  SPIES master gives the pilot vertical and lateral corrections until the aircraft reaches the
  desired position. He commands, LEFT, RIGHT, FORWARD, or REAR, along with the
  estimated distance. For example, LEFT, 10 FEET. The SPIES master counts down as the
  pilot responds, for example, "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, hover. Hold, ropes out." The SPIES
  master informs the pilot of any unexpected drift that could pull the team into an obstruction.
  The crew chief maintains his attention to the safety of the aircraft and watches for any
  possible interference with the tail rotor.
  3. To avoid losing weapons during a SPIES extraction, team members sling them over their
  shoulders and attach them to their bodies with safety lines. They secure other weapons and
  equipment against the wind as well. After observing this, the team leader gives them the
  thumbs-up signal.