Coast Guard, Los Angeles Sheriff's To Conduct Joint Training

Video and Photographs Available

SAN PEDRO, Calif - Members of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles-Long Beach perform a vertical insertion from a Los Angeles Sheriff's Department helicopter, July 13, 2010. This exercise marks the first time a Coast Guard MSST has performed vertical insertion certification on a non-military aircraft. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers

SAN PEDRO, Calif - The Coast Guard and Los Angeles Sheriff's Department will conduct a first-of-its-kind training this morning at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach on Terminal Island.

Members of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Los Angeles-Long Beach will vertically insert from a LASD helicopter onto an underway vessel to simulate responding to a possible real-world security threat. Vertical insertion, sometimes referred to as fast-roping, is a technique in which multiple team members slide down a rope from a hovering helicopter in order to deploy where the helicopter cannot land. This method is much faster than rappelling, however, it is much more dangerous because the team member is only connected to the rope by his/her own arm strength.

This morning's exercise is unique as this will mark the first time a Coast Guard security team has conducted vertical insertion training from a non-military aircraft. The LASD and Coast Guard will have spokespeople available for interviews following the exercise.

Media wishing to ride onboard a small boat to film the exercise must arrive at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach no later than 10 a.m., Wednesday. Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach is located at 1001 South Seaside Ave., San Pedro, CA, 90731.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Coast Guard will provide footage of Wednesday's exercise to those outlets unable to attend.

To view video of Tuesday's exercise training, select the link below:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=939857

To view photographs of Tuesday's exercise training, select the links below:

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=939515

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=939518

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=939521

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard -- Proud History. Powerful Future.

printer friendly