Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Luis Saavedra | Staff Sgt. Rorie Short, left, Rochester, N.Y., native, airdrop supervisor, and Cpl....... read more read more
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – It has been documented that Afghanistan has an austere environment that at times can make it difficult to get supplies to soldiers on the battlefield. The terrain can be unforgiving to convoys and missions may take longer than anticipated. That doesn’t mean hope is lost. There is a team who might be able to assist. They call themselves riggers.
Soldiers assigned to the 647th Quartermaster Company, 10th Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, assist with resupplying the warfighters by supporting the aerial delivery mission throughout Afghanistan. However, some of the soldiers assigned to the rigger team have deployed to Afghanistan in supported Operation Enduring Freedom in the past and they have seen a noticeable decline in aerial delivery requests since then.
“As more forward operating bases are closing and locations are decreasing, so is the mission,” said Staff Sgt. Rorie Short, Rochester, N.Y., native, airdrop supervisor assigned to the 647th Quartermaster Company.
Aerial delivery historical data shows a steady decrease in air drops in the past three years.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph S. Vierwinden, Fresno, Calif., native, 10th SBDE senior airdrop systems technician, said he doesn’t expect to deliver more than 1 million pounds of supplies to conventional forces this year.
The use of aerial delivery to support a commander’s intent, whether it’s a tactical mission or a sustainment function, is still an asset.
“The airdrop mission has been successful by providing an alternate means for the ground forces to be resupplied,” said Vierwinden.
“We have to look at each means of moving supplies and determine which method is the best course of action.”
Cpl. Ravonne Pertee, Miami native, lane chief assigned to the 647th Quartermaster Company, said he was able to go out on one of the missions and see the result of the rigger team’s hard work first hand.
“You get a better appreciation of your work knowing that you are helping the troops on the ground,” said Pertee.
Pertee was deployed to Kandahar from 2010-2011 and his missions consisted of container delivery system aerial delivery drops, which are bundles ranging from 550-2,200 pounds delivered by Air Force aircraft. During his current deployment, he is also able to support the low-cost, low-altitude drops, which consist of lighter loads.
The CDS or LCLA aerial delivery asset allows the commanders flexibility when it comes to resupplying the troops.
“Mission success is getting needed items to the ground forces by the fastest means possible so they can carry on with their mission,” said Vierwinden.
The riggers have been successful with their mission but it wasn’t due to any one individual.
Spc. Chavartae Raymond, Lakeland, Ga., native, parachute rigger assigned to the 647th Quartermaster Company, credits the team’s success to great leadership and teamwork.
Soldiers rig each bundle to standard to ensure the load reaches its destination in good condition.
Even with all the support the riggers have provided the warfighter, they would like to increase their support to more troops by reminding commanders of the aerial delivery asset.
“Our biggest challenge is letting the units in the fight know what our capabilities are,” said Short. “To let them know that we can deliver what they need in a short period of time in a very safe manner.”
Whether it’s an emergency or a standard resupply mission, the riggers have made it a point to support the warfighter day or night. They are the experts at rigging supplies, equipment and vehicles for airdrop. They perform technical, routine and in-storage rigger-type inspection on cargo, extraction and personnel parachutes as well as other airdrop equipment; professional soldiers making a difference.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2014 11:51 |
| Story ID: | 123226 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | LAKELAND, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | MIAMI, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 344 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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