Photo By Sgt. Taryn Hagerman | Riggers with 11th Quartermaster Company, 189th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N. C. – Every paratrooper has heard of it, but only an unfortunate few have experienced sailing through the sky when a tree mercilessly attacks your parachute. This is one of several possible causes of torn and damaged parachutes, which are discovered at the shake-out tower.
After spotting the deficiency, that parachute will be sent to the experts at the Air Item Maintenance Platoon, 11th Quartermaster Company, 189th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade.
Staff Sgt. Ellsworth Cupid, Air Item Maintenance shop foreman, said their team of riggers identify, record, and repair any parachute sent to them, saving the Army from entering into a high-priced contract outside the military.
“It’s not as exciting as watching a parachute be packed or a heavy load get dropped out of the bird, but if it wasn’t for the fact that you have a way to repair them in-house, you’d be dealing with a lot of expense,” said Cupid. “We save the company a lot of money in transportation and repair costs.”
Cost-efficiency is not their only specialty; the platoon’s efforts also contribute to mission accomplishment.
“Our job is to provide them with the necessary equipment in a timely manner because time is training, and training saves lives,” said Cupid. “Our Soldiers are extremely versatile, and I am so proud of these guys.”
Those adaptable skills are put to work not only repairing parachutes and performing initial inspections straight from the factory, but they can also complete modifications and create customized pieces of jump equipment.
Maintenance riggers work in a relaxed environment compared to riggers in the other platoons; however, Cupid said it is a privilege granted to the deserving.
“They put a lot of pride in the work they do, because they’ve already worked in either the Pack Platoon or the Aerial Delivery Platoon, and they earn the right to be here,” Cupid said. “They can’t slack off. They still have to put good, quality workmanship in what they’re doing.”
Having experience in the other platoons naturally leads to forming some comparisons.
“It’s much different than working in the pack shed, but they each have their own qualities,” said Spc. Andrew Chang, rigger with the platoon. “I really enjoy working with my team here.”
Regardless of the platoon, many riggers came to this career field for the same reason: a guaranteed airborne slot. However, Cupid said the opportunity to help others drew him to the field.
After watching the recruiting video showing riggers preparing container delivery system bundles with rations of food and water to be dropped to people in dire need, Cupid enlisted.
“The most exciting moment of my career was when I was deployed and got to pack bundles and watch them be dropped to those in need,” said Cupid. “I always wanted to be one of those guys who impacted others’ lives in a big way. That’s what I signed up to do.”
| Date Taken: | 07.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2015 11:29 |
| Story ID: | 172096 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 153 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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