BILLED [Egypt] Air insertion training

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AIR INSERTION TRAINING Classified Information ​

Operation Background

As part of the training for the Egyptian Ground Forces airborne troops, a program was devised to improve their operational capabilities by practising air insertion and vertical envelopment. Vertical envelopment is understood as the maneuver in which troops, either air-dropped or air-landed, attack the rear and flanks of a force, in effect cutting off or encircling the force", air resupply, and if necessary air extraction. Trained skill: Air Insertion

Deployed Forces

└ 1st Airborne Brigade (1,000) └ 2nd Airborne Brigade (1,000) └ 3rd Airborne Brigade (1,000) └ 4th Airborne Brigade (1,000) └ 5th Airborne Brigade (1,000) └ 6th Airborne Brigade (1,000) └ 7th Airborne Brigade (1,000) - 1st Helicopter Squadron (Mil Mil-17) - 2nd Helicopter Squadron (Mil Mil-17) - 4th Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130H) - 9th Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130H) - Antonov An-24s from the EGF - Mil Mi-17s from the EGF - Vehicule Blinde Leger VBL

Logistical Details
The training would be conduct in stages, near the operational HQ's of each Airborne Brigade. The aerial units would be moved and prepared to be employed during the training drills.

 

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During the first stage of the course, the airborne troops would undergo local training at their respective quarters. They would begin with fast-roping exercises on ropes installed at different highs. This would be a first step towards mastering Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES). The troops would be overseen by instructors who would correct them and teach them how safely and quickly to move down the rope.

They would do this first without any additional gear and later on move on to do it with full combat gear, which would add several kg into their backs plus their regular weapons on the side. They would also be given instructions on how to quickly move into cover once on the ground.

Heat-resistant gloves would be used, to protect the individual descending from friction-generated heat.

 

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The troops, which already were certified parachuters, would now move on to begin practicing Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System on real conditions, using the Mil Mi-17 helicopters from the Egyptian Ground Forces.

Each of these aircrafts was capable of carrying up to 24 troops. The soldiers would first conduct the descents only with light gear, as to get accustomed to the movement of the rope, provoked by the helicopters movements and the turbulence from the turbines. They would conduct and practice the standard insertion procedure, descending with in 3m gaps between each other.

They would be supervised by instructors. The helicopter pilots would also practice static flight.

 

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The airborne troops would continue their practice, now conducting night operations, using nightvision googles and full equipment. They would also begin practicing more intesively the tactical aspect of the Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System, learning how to identify quick cover to provide eventual fire support and visual advantage to protect the rest of the troops during their descent.

Helicopter crews would also practice their static flight and training the procedure to be follow in case of being fired uppon and having to quickly evacuate the area.

The insertion process would be repeated several times, and if required, they would simulate the tactical mvoements without the helicopters in order to improve the operation effectiveness.

 

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The airborne troops and pilot crews of the helicopters would now focus on the extraction procedure. For this, the helicopters would be assigned extraction points, and the troops would have to move with tactical awareness towards it, launch a smoke flare and await for the helicopters arrivals and touch down. Once there, they would in an orderly and secure fashion, board the helicopter, (which would keep its engines on and be ready to take off as soon as it was full or if any threat appeared).

The troops woudl conduct this procedure several times, include night operations, both with light and full combat gear.

The pilots would also improve their piloting capacity.

All units would undergo this procedure.

 

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At this point, the last stage of the training would consist in carrying out a combination of the previously executed exercises, under real-combat conditions.

The final drill would consist of a simulation, where the airborne troops would be loaded into ona of the Mil Mi-17 and flown out to conduct an aerial assault of a simulated enemy held "village".

The fully geared troops (24 per helicopter) would board the aircraft and depart. Once in sight of the marked drop-off location, the helicopter would do a quick overfly to check the area and deem if it was safe to proceed. Once done, it would get into position and hover at an approximate altitude of 25m above ground, dropping of 2 ropes simultaneously. In an orderly fashion 12 troops would begin descending on each of the lines, carrying their fuel combat gear and leaving a 3m space between each other. Once they hit the ground they would run for cover and provide a safety perimeter for the other troops. Once all 24 troops where on the ground, the helicopter crew would quickly retrieve the ropes and depart.

The troops would then have to conduct a quick checklist of objectives within the simulated town. Once done, they would have to go to a predetermined checkpoint and set out a smoke flare. The same helicopter that dropped them off would know fly back, land with the engines going and load all 24 troops through the back hatch, before quickly taking off.

All units would conduct this exercise.

With this stage complete, all airborne troops would have mastered then skill.

Training complete.