Aboard USS Essex - A combat engineer fast-ropes from the rear of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter May 9.

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Aboard USS Essex - A combat engineer with Company G fast-ropes from the rear of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter May 9 which is parked overhanging the edge of the flight deck here. Having the helicopters parked in this way allows the Marines and sailors to slide down about 30 feet from the helicopters to the elevator at the hangar deck level. The helicopters are part of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), the MEU's air combat element. About 190 Marines and sailors with the company took part in the drops to brush up on their skills as the helicopter assault company for Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. The BLT is the ground combat element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

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Size: 5019px × 3346px
Photo credit: © Stocktrek Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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