Rope burn
Airman Joshua Mattert, 342nd Training Squadron, begins to fast rope from the Combat Control School tower Tuesday, April 11, at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. Combat control trainees spend a full day learning the details required to fast rope, rappelling and climbing a caving ladder. In the operational world combat controllers would fast rope out of helicopters in urban environments where helicopters would not be able to land. The trainees fast roped from 10, 20 and 30 feet, before they progressed to the tower which is 40 feet above ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Becky J. LaRaia)