09/07/2026
Continuing to talk about the importance of to operations and personal protective. Last week the subject was airborne school - this week it’s Air Assault School which involves combat rappelling (from 34-foot towers and hovering UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters), sling-load operations, and physical readiness. Graduates earn the coveted Air Assault Badge.
So what’s the textile connection? To start - Rappelling Soldiers use 11mm (7/16-inch) static or dynamic Kernmantle Ropes tied with a provisional harness (like a Swiss seat) to descend safely from a hovering aircraft (such as a UH-60 Blackhawk) to the LZ (landing zone). Then there is Fast-Roping down a Thick, specialized 1.75- to 2-inch diameter untwisted nylon or manila ropes which allow squads to slide down rapidly without a harness in 30 to 60 seconds, maximizing speed and surprise.