Marine killed in helicopter hard landing identified - AL.com
Marine who died during a helicopter accident at Camp Lejeune was part of a Virginia-based anti-terror and security team training on how to use ropes to access difficult terrain, officials said Friday. About 20 Marines from Virginia and North Carolina were participating Wednesday night in training that requires them to exit through the back of a helicopter using suspended ropes. The rappelling and fast-rope techniques allow Marines to enter terrain where helicopter landings would be difficult. "The training requires the highest-caliber Marine," said Col. A news release said Lewis joined the Marines in 2006, and he received the Iraq Campaign Medal among other awards. Marine officials said at a news conference that Lewis was inside the CH-53E Super Stallion when it landed harder and faster than normal around 9 p. m. in a Camp Lejeune training area. Sean Salene, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 29, said that the aircraft is damaged and that officials haven't determined whether it will return to service. A 2003 edition of the Marines' manual for Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques warns of the potential for injury or death in the training. Source: www.al.com
