SWCC - MEATS
U.S. Army photo by SGT. Christopher Prows, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs) with Special Boat Team 12 (SBT-12) conduct Maritime External Air Transportation System (MEATS) training with the 160th Special Operations Avaition Regiment (160th SOAR).
MEATS is a method of moving boats such as the SWCC's NSW RHIBs via helicopters, such as the MH-47 Chinook as shown here, from one point to another as an underslung load.
During pickup, the helicopter hovers above the boat while the boat crew attaches lines to it.
Once rigged, the boat crew (and any passengers) climb a rope ladder up through the helicopter's belly hatch.
Once at the drop off point, the helicopter goes into a low hover, while the boat crew fast-ropes down into the boat, disconnects the hoists.
