Which boats are chosen depends on the operation - CRRCs are smaller but RHIBS are sturdier and can operate over longer distances. The most commonly used boats are the trusty Zodiac, also known as Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC), and the Rigid Hull Inflatable boat (RHIBS). With larger helicopters, an MH-47 Chinook or a CH-53 Sea Stallion, it's more likely the operators will conduct a Hard Duck. The mission and the helicopter available determine which technique is used. Hard Duck is when the boat is fully inflated and good to go the moment it hits the water.

Soft Duck is when the boat is partially inflated, requiring the commandos to use those pumps to fully inflate it while they're in the water. Rolled Duck is when the boat isn't inflated at all, meaning the operators have to use special pumps to fully inflate it while in the water. There are three varieties of helocast: Rolled Duck, Soft Duck, and Hard Duck. Marines load a combat rubber raiding craft for helocast operations off the coast of California, November 19, 2014. That includes Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders, and Reconnaissance Marines, but also Army Green Berets assigned to a combat diving team and Air Force Pararescuemen, Combat Controllers, Tactical Air Control Party airmen, and Special Reconnaissance operators. The helocast insertion technique is almost exclusively reserved for special-operations teams that are qualified as combat divers or combat swimmers. But after you've done it a few times it becomes easier, as with all things, but not more comfortable!' said the Marine Raider, who like the Green Beret spoke anonymously because they weren't authorized to comment.

You have to trust your training, the helicopter crew, and of course your teammates. You can't hear shit because of the helicopter rotors and you literally walk in the dark, cold water of an ocean or a lake,' a Marine Raider told Insider. 'It's a pretty scary experience the first couple of times you do it. (Rhode Island National Guard photo by Senior Airman Brittni Capozzi)ĭespite the skill of the pilots and the quality of the platform, helocasting can be harrowing. Charlie Company 1-143 Infantry Airborne with the Rhode Island National Guard conducts helocast training to expand infiltration capabilities and conduct follow-on tactics training at Carr Pond, West Greenwich, RI, July 27, 2021.

Commandos 2 mission list