Senior Airman Emma Duff, American Forces Network broadcaster, tip toes on a tower beam while rappelling for a tower rescue training class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The tower rescue training was taught by the Airmen of the 51st Communications Squadron, who are required to ascend and descend tall structures such as radio towers as part of their duties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

Senior Airman Charlie Hegwer, a 51st Communications Squadron cable and antenna technician, teaches a class on tower climbing and rappelling Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The class teaches safety procedures to ensures personnel can use their equipment before the hands-on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

Senior Airman Charlie Hegwer, a 51st Communications Squadron cable and antenna technician, checks one of his student's equipment Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Prior to going to an on-site climb, the students must personally test all of their equipment to ensure safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

Staff Sgt. Aaron Ramelb, a 51st Communications Squadron cable and antenna technician, hoists a bundle of ropes up a pulley during a tower climbing and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Prior to climbing the tower, a crew of Airmen must perform safety procedures below and atop the tower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Senior Airman Travis Hahn-Holmes, a 51st Communications Squadron cable antenna technician, fastens climbing equipment around a tower Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Before they're able to climb, cable and antenna technicians must fasten harnesses and other safety equipment securely to the tower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Senior Airman Charlie Hegwer, a 51st Communications Squadron cable and antenna technician, watches other technicians climb a satellite tower Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The tower is approximately 100 ft. tall, and 51st CS technicians train on climbing and rappelling them in order to be comfortable working at such heights for their job. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Airmen ascend during a tower climbing and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. While rappelling, personnel are required to use safety harnesses and mantain three points of contact with the tower at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Senior Airman Michael Brantley, 51st Operations Support Squadron air field system technician, rests while climing a tower during a climbing and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The climbing and rappelling class tested the attendee's abilities to scale and descend a 100 ft. tower. Climbing, rappelling and tower rescue training must be completed annually by airfield system technicians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Senior Airman Charlie Hegwer, a 51st Communications Squadron cable and antenna technician, rappels down a tower during a tower climbing and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. During the training, students are instructed in proper climbing and rappelling techniques before physically demonstrating their capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

An Airman surveys the view from the top of a tower during a climbing and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. After climbing the 100 ft. tower, the attendees had to rappel back to the ground, showcasing their abilities to work on structures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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A view from the top of a tower while rappelling Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. While rappelling, personnel are required to use safety harnesses and mantain three points of contact with the tower at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Senior Airman Emma Duff, American Forces Network broadcaster, prepares to rapell during a climging and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. While rappelling, personnel are required to use safety harnesses and mantain three points of contact with the tower at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

Staff Sgt. Aaron Ramelb (left) and Senior Airman Charlie Hegwer, both 51st Communications Squadron cable antenna technicians, teach Senior Airmen Lindy Pata, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs broadcaster, and Emma Duff, Armed Forces Network broadcaster, how to recline in their safety harnesses during a tower climbing and rappelling class Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Cable and antenna technicians can be required to work on tall structures as part of their duties, and are required to go through a yearly refresher on tower climbing and repelling procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

Staff Sgt. Aaron Ramelb and Senior Airmen Charlie Hegwer and Travis Hahn-Holmes, all 51st Commuications Squadron cable and antenna technicians, chat after finishing tower climing and rappelling training Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The trio are part of the Cable Dawgs, a handle given to CS Airmen who work in man holes and repair communication lines below the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro/Released)

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Photo Essay: The Climb

Published Aug. 28, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- At heights of 100 ft. or more, most people would be more worried about keeping solid footing as far away from the ledge as possible. However, the 51st Communications Squadron Cable Dawgs and 51st Operations Support Squadron Airfield System technicians have the counterintuitive job of hanging on the ledge to perform repairs on equipment such as radio towers, satellites and other cable and antenna fixtures around base.

Part of the requirement to perform these jobs is an annual refresher on climbing, rappelling and tower rescue training.

Senior Airman Charlie Hegwer, 51st CS cable and antenna technician, taught a climbing and rappelling course Aug. 27, 2014, at Osan Air Base.