Photo By Spc. David McCarthy | Col. Christopher J. Sharpsten, 82nd Sustainment Brigade commander, has equipment...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Senior leaders of Fort Bragg and the 82nd Sustainment Brigade solidified their confidence in, and willingness to use, the new T-11 parachute. The T-11, which is replacing the T-10 Delta parachute, has a larger canopy and is able to carry more weight than its predecessor.
“From my own opinion, in comparison to the T-10, the T-11 is like a Cadillac,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims, Regimental Quartermaster CSM. “We all know that this parachute is designed to carry more weight safely to the ground. Weighing about 250 pounds myself, I had a real normal descent and a very comfortable landing,” he said.
The March 22 jump at Normandy Drop Zone was conducted to show to the Fort Bragg community and the Army at large that the T-11 parachute is safe to use. XVIII Airborne Corps commander Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick led the jump and was the first out the door.
“I’m absolutely confident that this parachute is safe,” said Helmick. “That’s why you have the senior leaders of the XVIII Airborne Corps demonstrating to the 50,000 paratroopers that are out there around the world that this parachute is the best parachute that the Army can provide paratroopers,” he said.
While the jump included many members of the XVIII Airborne Corps senior leadership, it also had leaders from the 82nd Sustainment Brigade as well. Sgt. 1st Class Danny Ibarra, 82nd Sustainment Brigade NCOIC, was the primary jumpmaster for the event. Lt. Col. Theodore O. White, commander of the 189th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion was a safety for the jump.
82nd Sustainment Brigade commander Col. Christopher J. Sharpsten, who also jumped the new parachute, found the new features of the T-11 to be an improvement from the T-10 Delta.
“The T-11 Parachute system is an evolutionary improvement over the T-10 Delta parachute. The T-11 design provides increased lift capacity which allows paratroopers to jump with heavier combat loads,” he said.
The change of parachute is no simple matter and affects many different logistical areas, not just the paratroopers. Riggers will be affected as the parachute is different from what they have had to pack before.
“The T-11 is a complex system that takes our Riggers more time to pack,” said Sharpsten. “Parachute packing rates will lower slightly, but we will still be able to meet the airborne requirements of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division,” he said.
As the Army moves forward with the transition to the new parachute, the 82nd Sustainment Brigade will continue to adapt and provide the necessary materials to be ready for any airborne operation.
“The 82nd Sustainment Brigade will lead the way on Fort Bragg for the transition to the new T-11 parachute system,” said Sharpsten. “We will become the subject matter experts and will be ready to aid other units as they begin their transition,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2012 10:23 |
| Story ID: | 86622 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 291 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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