T-Patch "Riggers" pack chutes to perfection

Photo By Master Sgt. Michael Leslie | Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Oscar "Joe" Moreno, Jr., the final inspection rigger with the 294th Quartermaster Company, 36th Sustainment Brigade, 36th Infantry Division, checks and double checks the measurements and folds of the parachute pack for a T-11 Main Parachute in preparation for an upcoming Airborne jump mission, Oct. 10, 2016, at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Leslie, 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs)  

AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES

11.19.2016

Story by Spc. Christina Clardy 

36th Infantry Division (TXARNG)

Olive drab parachutes floating down through the sky are iconic of U.S. Army Airborne Soldiers since WWII. But before the Airborne Infantry can take the leap, they must have perfectly folded and arranged chutes on their backs. This is the life or death chance that Airborne Soldiers take every time they knowingly step out of an airplane a thousand feet above the ground.

The Airdrop Support Soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division, called "riggers," are responsible for ensuring the utmost perfection in every parachute pack because their lives, and the lives of their fellow Soldiers, depend on it.

As it is packed, the parachute's strict measurements are triple checked and logged. At every step of the packing, the rigger measures, arranges and folds the chute and cords. He then calls to the in-progress inspector who verifies and logs each meticulous step. Lastly, the final inspector reviews the logs of the rigger and the in-progress inspector before personally inspecting the pack and stowing it for the next airborne mission.

"The checks and rechecks are redundant upon redundant," said Staff Sgt. Gilberto Guerra, a rigger with the 197th Special Troops Support Company, Special Operations (Airborne), 71st Battlefield Support Brigade. "But they have to be. These rigorous steps and inspections make sure that any time and every time one of our Airborne Soldiers uses a pack, the chutes will open properly and the jumper will be safely carried to the ground."

There are two types of chutes, and each one has a reserve parachute. The T-11 Main Parachute, a non-maneuverable type, has 12 steps to pack it properly, and its T-11 Reserve Parachute has nine inspection steps. The reserve chute, designed as yet another failsafe, is a backup in case the main parachute fails to deploy correctly. The second type is the MC-6 Parachute. It has 8 inspections steps and is maneuverable. This allows the jumper to have more control and direct their descent.

During a usual packing session, more than 140 riggers prepare, load, and inspect several hundred full chute packs for a single jump mission. The division section has eight full-time packers and inspectors, and 140 part-time packers. The riggers section packs and maintains 900 T-11 Main Parachutes, 900 T-11 Reserve Parachutes, and 500 MC-6 Parachutes.

Not only do the riggers have to be perfect in their chute packing, but they must also be jump qualified. This means that they must jump every three months, and then jump again every six months with a chute that they packed themselves personally.

"Just as every packer takes another Soldier's life and safety in their hands whenever they pack a chute, they also take their own lives in their hands when they jump with one of their own chutes," said Staff Sgt. Oscar "Joe" Moreno, Jr., a final inspector with the 294th Quartermaster Company, 36th Sustainment Brigade.

With constant customers like the 1st Battalion (Airborne) of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, the Division riggers have safely and successfully landed more than 900 Airborne Soldiers in the last two months.

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• Date Taken: 11.19.2016
• Date Posted: 11.19.2016 14:50
• Story ID: 215293
• Location: AUSTIN, TX, US