ABOARD USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) -- Marines from Alpha Company and 81mm Mortars Platoon, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Bn., 2nd Marines, the Ground Combat Element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted fast-rope training aboard the USS Saipan April 4. During the training, the Marines fast-roped from the back of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter -- provided by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, the Aviation Combat Element for the MEU -- to the hangar bay of the Saipan. The main focus of the training was to familiarize the Marines with the proper techniques of fast-roping.