It’s impossible to beat certain views.

Flying high above the ocean on a beautiful day, dangling on a tether hooked to a Black Hawk helicopter would certainly qualify as one of those rare vantage points.

This past weekend, soldiers from 25th Infantry Division Lightning Academy conducted special patrol insertion/extraction, or SPIE, training off the pristine coastline of Hawaii.

100324-M-6001S-258 U.S. Marines conduct special purpose insertion and extraction exercises using a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Medium Tilt rotor Squadron 162 in Djibouti on March 24, 2010. The Marines, who are from 2nd Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, performed a series of sustainment and joint exercises alongside the French and Djiboutian military during their visit. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is on a seven-month deployment with the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group as the theatre reserve force for U.S. Central Command. DoD photo by Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

Fortunately for everyone else not enjoying the exclusive taxi service of a 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment Black Hawk, the soldiers receiving the lift employed a 360-degree camera for all to visually partake in the festivities.

SPIE operations, like the wet variety featured here, are designed for quick insertion or extraction of personnel of troops where a landing isn’t possible.

“Personnel, each wearing a harness with an attached snap link, hook into the SPIE rope,” the Facebook post said. “The helicopter lifts vertically until the personnel and the rope are clear of all obstructions and then transitions to forward flight.”

SPIE rigging has always been an entertaining spectacle unique to the military, but the employment of the 360-degree camera has taken oooh-ing and ahhh-ing to the next level.

This video kicks unparalleled portions of ass. Make your day better by enjoying it.

Jon Simkins is the executive editor for Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.

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