Approximately 25 soldiers with 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, conducted rappel training June 13, 2023, at a rock formation near Fort Indiantown Gap known as Boxcar Rocks. The soldiers used mountain warfare skills to ascend the north face of the Boxcar Rocks safely with harnesses and ropes, then rappelled down the south face approximately 100 feet. (Zane Craig/U.S. Army National Guard)

A group of Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers got some real-world rappel training earlier this month at the Boxcar Rocks formation in Lebanon County, Pa.

About 25 soldiers with 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division participated in the training June 13, an Army news release said.

The rock wall, a hiking and climbing destination located near Fort Indiantown Gap, is named for its resemblance to railroad boxcars piled on top of each other. Soldiers ascended the north face of the formation using harnesses and ropes, then rappelled approximately 100 feet down the south face.

A Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldier rappels down the south face of Boxcar Rocks during training, June 13, 2023. (Zane Craig/U.S. Army National Guard)

“What we find in many theaters are vertical danger areas where if you’re moving, you might come up to a cliff face and you need to get a squad up a cliff or down a mountain,” Maj. Rich Fowler, the regiment’s executive officer, said in the release.

A Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldier rappels down the south face of the Boxcar Rocks formation during training, June 13, 2023. (Zane Craig/U.S. Army National Guard)

The unique training experience, which marked the culmination of the unit’s two-week annual training held June 1-15, gave soldiers an opportunity to sharpen their mountain warfare skills — and for some, a push to help overcome their fear of heights.

“I was a little nervous at first, but trust the equipment and you’ll do good,” Spc. Christopher Rockel said. “I definitely had to get over my fear.”

A Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldier secures his harness during rappel training at the Boxcar Rocks formation, June 13, 2023. (Zane Craig/U.S. Army National Guard)

Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers participate in rappel training at Boxcar Rocks formation, June 13, 2023. (Zane Craig/U.S. Army National Guard)

Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers participate in rappel training at Boxcar Rocks formation, June 13, 2023. (Zane Craig/U.S. Army National Guard)