“Teach Me How to Rig” training a success

Photo By Sgt. Chris Huddleston | Riggers from 647th QM Det., 45th STB, 45th Sust. Bde. demonstrate hooking a parachute to a pallet of water on May 14 at Camp Red Hat, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. The demonstration was part of the “Teach Me How to Rig” training event held for the leaders and staff of the 45th STB.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

05.14.2012

Story by Sgt. Chris Huddleston 

45th Sustainment Brigade

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Soldiers from the 647th Quartermaster Detachment, 45th Special Troops Battalion, held a training event for the leadership and staff of the 45th STB on 14 May at Camp Red Hat, here.

The “Teach Me How to Rig” training focused on rigging operations and the teamwork required to successfully accomplish a rigging mission.

“Today is about teamwork,” said 1st Lt. Tie She Morgan, commander, 647th Quartermaster Detachment, during the initial briefing. “You can’t perform rigging ops without teamwork.”

Training began with the prep team demonstrating proper preparation, including cutting “honeycomb” packing material, tie-down cord and setting up pallets.

"I was nervous at first to brief a bunch of officers,” said Spc. Cruz Celis, prep team chief, 647th Quartermaster Detachment, “But talking about rigging, the job I do every day, once I started briefing it was easy.”

After prep team demonstration, the rigging team took over and showed the participants how to build a pallet of bottled water for aerial delivery. This portion included a quick class from Staff Sgt. Leigh Barnard, detachment non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC), 647th Quartermaster Detachment, on how to tie the required knots for the mission.

Having acquired the skills needed to succeed, the team from the 45th Special Troops Battalion, began their mission: Rig 15 bundles of water in three hours to provide re-supply to ground forces low on supplies.

“I learned the importance of the rigger’s mission and the various procedures they must conduct to fulfill critical mission requirements,” said Master Sgt. Maurice Williams, S-3 NCOIC, 45th Special Troops Battalion. “It was remarkable, hands-on training and it felt good to actually work in that position, now I have a clearer insight into their MOS.”

Everyone involved learned some important lessons.

“Teamwork is key to efficient operations,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Hyatt, commander, 45th Special Troops Battalion. “Also, attention to detail is critical as specific rigging procedures are developed to ensure the bundles properly drop. Failure to follow instructions could result in a bundle being damaged and thus being useless to the warfighter. Lastly, it's clear that rigging 15 bundles is hard work.”

The training gave the leadership of the 45th Special Troops Battalion a chance to experience the work the 647th soldiers do every day and learn skills outside their own day to day jobs.

“It was excellent training that was easily resourced and provided multiple tangible benefits - including specifically that the bundles we rigged will be used for an actual mission,” said Hyatt. “Any other organization could replicate this event with equal success and would be welcome to do so by the Riggers.”

• Date Taken: 05.14.2012
• Date Posted: 05.20.2012 05:53
• Story ID: 88692
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF