[Military Story] Local Defense Warriors 'Helicopter Rappelling is a Breeze' [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

[Report] Army 50th Division Soldiers Conduct Helicopter Rappel Training
Coordinate Counterterrorism Training with Special Forces Soldiers

This year, during the first half of the year, South Korea and the United States incorporated a scenario of North Korea's nuclear attack into the joint combined exercise ‘Freedom Shield (FS).’ They applied part of the ‘Operational Plan (OPLAN) 2022.’ In the simulation-based training, North Korea attempted various attacks beyond nuclear strikes. A representative example was the special operations forces’ infiltration into the rear. They destroyed key facilities such as power plants. Since last year, weather conditions have also been added to the simulation war environment, making responses more difficult. The regional division took the defense. North Korean forces’ activities significantly decreased only after the middle of FS. This was thanks to the efforts of the regional division’s mobile company and the military police special mission unit. To meet them, we visited the Army’s 50th Infantry Division, responsible for the defense of the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, on the 20th of last month.

Soldiers are listening to safety instructions from the instructor and are jumping down from the rappel tower without hesitation. (Photo by 50th Division)

Special task force soldiers are equipped with rifles, pistols, and magazines, performing helicopter rappelling. (Photo by 50 Division)

A strong wind rushed through the entrance of the 50th Division. Even thick tree branches swayed. Upon entering the base, the scale was astonishing. It was the largest among all Army divisions. The area alone was about 2,876,000 square meters (approximately 870,000 pyeong). Entering one side of the base’s helicopter rappel training ground, military police special mission unit (SMU) soldiers dressed in black uniforms and mobile company soldiers in regular military uniforms were doing warm-up exercises in formation. Before rappelling, the instructor continued to explain safety precautions and other instructions. Their missions differ. SMU soldiers stand at the forefront of counter-terrorism missions. Mobile company soldiers support the SMU. These soldiers conduct joint training to understand each other’s missions and coordinate smoothly. A military official said, “SMU soldiers have been training for more than 10 days in operational areas such as Gumi during the ROK-US combined exercises. Although their bodies are tired, this too is training.”

Helicopter Rappel Training Conducted for Counter-Terrorism Operations

The 11-meter-high rappel tower was so tall that you had to tilt your head back to see the top. It was simply high. The instructor emphasized safety rules once again in front of the rappel tower. Four mobile company soldiers paired up and climbed the stairs to the height of the fourth floor. One soldier sat on the top landing and shouted, “Corporal Song Minje, ready to descend.” The soldier relied on a thick rope, which was difficult even for an adult male to grasp with one hand, and threw his body down. There was no safety device. The only thing on the ground was a 1-meter-thick shock-absorbing mat. The soldier descended rapidly using the rope. When reaching the ground, he wrapped the rope with both feet and applied the brake, stopping at 1 meter above the ground. Corporal Song Minje said, “I did my first descent the day before. I was nervous and clumsy, but every time I undergo intense training, I feel a sense of accomplishment.”

Next, SMU soldiers prepared to descend. They wore not only rifles but also pistols and magazines. The weight easily exceeded 15 kg. It looked heavy just to see. The mobile company soldiers’ goal was to descend safely from the helicopter. The SMU’s goal was different. Braking is life. The descent point might not be flat ground. It could be a building rooftop. The SMU must be able to infiltrate by hanging upside down on a rope from a building rooftop window. This is called reverse rappel. The SMU used a rope as thin as an adult finger. Since they have to fight while descending, the rope must not be an obstacle. Sergeant Kim Chorim, SMU squad leader, said, “We must get used to maintaining an attack posture in any situation. That is why we conduct rappel training once a month.”

Soldiers are forming a snake formation and entering while staying close to the building wall. (Photo by 50th Division)

We moved to the counter-terrorism training. The scenario involved four terrorists seizing a building. The 50th Division’s mobile company soldiers approached the building in wheeled armored vehicles with roaring engines. The wheeled armored vehicle was the K806 armored vehicle supplied for regional defense divisions. The domestically developed K806 armored vehicle can travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h. It is equipped with an automatic tire pressure control system, making it capable of off-road driving. It was also equipped with smoke grenades.

Not Only Suppressing Terrorists but Also Actual Helicopter Descent Training

The SMU entered from the left side of the building, and the mobile company entered from the right side. The soldiers formed a snake formation (a long line resembling a snake’s body) and moved along the building wall toward the main entrance. This was to avoid being noticed by the terrorists. Soldiers who entered the center of the building dispersed left and right. All communication was conducted through sign language. The lead soldier pointed once with a finger and then gave a thumbs-up. This was a signal indicating that the door in that direction was open. Then, the platoon leader entering from behind tapped the SMU soldier’s shoulder and thigh in front to signal the entry. Touching sensitive parts of the body ensures clear communication even in noisy environments. The entry was completed in an instant. “Bang, bang, bang.” The terrorists were quickly shot dead. The platoon leader shouted over the radio, “First floor clear,” and headed to the second floor. Although about ten soldiers moved, there was not a single sound of footsteps. After quickly subduing the terrorists on the second floor, the soldiers exited the building.

The next day, the soldiers headed to the 123rd Brigade (Ilgyeok Brigade) located in Andong, Gyeongbuk. The brigade parade ground, located at the former site of the now-disbanded 70th Army Division, was dusted by sandstorms as the domestically produced utility helicopter Surion (KUH-1) showed off its presence. The Surion is the first domestically produced utility helicopter. It was deployed to the Army in 2012 and is used as a utility helicopter. As the soldiers boarded, the Surion rose to 15 meters above the ground. Despite the strong wind caused by the Surion’s flight, the soldiers maintained their posture as trained and descended onto the parade ground. About 100 soldiers from four companies participated in the descent training that day.

A military official said, “The mobile company must be deployable regardless of terrain such as mountains or coasts. We are preparing various training exercises for regional defense in the future.”