Royal Irish Regiment dangle from helicopter in daring special extraction drills

Soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment have been practising a special insertion – or extraction – technique that sees them clipped to a rope and dangling from a helicopter.

Irish Rangers from B Company were taking part in the Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction System (SPIES) drills.

SPIES sees multiple personnel attached to a rope that hangs from a helicopter.

• Historic Royal Irish Regiment Laying up of Colours parade in Ballymena
• Irish special forces storm cargo ship suspected of drug trafficking
• Watch: Massed bands from all four of Army's Irish regiments share the stage

But, instead of pulling the personnel up and into the aircraft, they stay attached to the rope as the helicopter either moves them out or inserts them into an area.

The technique is used when the terrain is unsuitable for a helicopter landing and when troops need to be inserted or extracted rapidly.