Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Armando Amado checks the configuration of Pfc. Donald Burris' body armor before...... read more read more
VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq " Parachute riggers are renowned for their meticulous attention to detail. When checking equipment that Soldiers" lives rely on, there is zero room for error.
That attitude has helped the Fort Bragg-based 612th Parachute Rigger Company successfully transition from rigger to gun truck company while deployed to the Baghdad area.
"They're one of the best gun truck companies out there," said Capt. Nicholas Macsata, the 612th's battalion S1 at Logistical Task Force 530. "You see the cohesion they have. They're excellent at what they do."
The reputation is remarkable in part because the Soldiers performing the various escort missions had little combat logistics patrol experience upon arrival to theater, and in fact didn't know what their actual mission was going to be until getting here.
"These guys are self-taught," said Sgt. Brian Brigman, a truck commander and mission commander with the 612th. "When we got here â?¦ we went straight out on the roads. We had to learn the routes right away."
"We knew we were going to do force protection, but weren't sure what," said 1st Lt. Je Lee, the 612th's executive officer. "It was a bit of a surprise."
Soldiers used to checking parachute lines were asked to check vehicle fluids; instead of testing equipment loads, they were asked to test weapons.
But the rigger mentality of strict attention to detail remained, as is evident with things like the 612th's system of pre-combat checks.
"We have our guys lay out all their gear before missions," said Sgt. Armando Amado, squad leader and mission commander. "It's to make sure everyone's on the same page."
After finishing, the unit commander often comes through, picks a Soldier at random and asks to see a specific piece of equipment as a sort of test.
"He might say, "Let me see his NBC gear,"" Amado explained. "It's just like in the rear when we pack parachutes " you never know which one he's going to [inspect], so we pack each one like we're going to jump it ourselves."
For Sgt. William Patterson, convoy commander, the checks and double checks are just standard fare.
"We live by one standard [back home]," he said. "We have to always be sure things are good. This is what we do. On the roads here, we're always sure."
| Date Taken: | 01.05.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.05.2006 10:26 |
| Story ID: | 4280 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 344 |
| Downloads: | 23 |
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