We are Riggers

Photo By Staff Sgt. Miko Booth | “We all share in the pride knowing that every day our hard work directly supports hundreds of troops in harm’s way living in tough environments,” said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Davis, the senior non-commissioned officer with the 421st Quartermaster Company.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.02.2012

Story by Sgt. Mary Maxson 

113th Sustainment Brigade

SOUTHWEST ASIA - The Airborne Riggers of the Detachment 1, 421st Quartermaster Company, have answered the call of duty yet again, working in overdrive on overtime. The riggers conducted an emergency resupply of fuel mission, assisting NATO forces in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

The day started out like any other normal work day. Riggers of the 421st QC got down to business and completed the daily mission for supply deliveries via aerial delivery. As they prepared to return to their barracks for the night, they were halted by Sgt. 1st Class Richard Davis, the detachment’s non-commissioned officer-in-charge. Davis’ instructions were clear; the riggers were to eat a quick meal and return to work immediately.

That night they had a special mission: 600, 55-gallon fuel barrels needed to be fueled and prepped for air-to-land transport. Fueled and prepped in less than 24 hours, that is.

Most soldiers cherish their up time off; especially after a long hot day of work, however, when it was explained that the requesting unit was down to a critical amount of fuel, it was all the Riggers needed to hear.

“Someone downrange needed what we had and they needed it now,” said Spc. Stephen Wilson. “And that’s what we do.”

Once the process began, the soldiers moved in unison like a well-oiled machine. The hours passed and the riggers continued. As the sun began to rise, the Riggers were about two-thirds complete with the mission. More hours passed; yet the Riggers showed no signs of exhaustion.

Finally, the 24 riggers loaded the last of the 463L master pallets and moved them to the flight line.

“This is what we are trained to do,” said Spc. Sean Bryant. “That was our mission; and we will do it again when we are called upon.”

“I’m proud of all of you and you have yet again set the standard for yourselves,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Harris III, the unit’s commander, as he addressed the riggers after the mission. “Get some rest, but be ready because there are still troops that need us and we will deliver.”

• Date Taken: 05.02.2012
• Date Posted: 05.06.2012 06:42
• Story ID: 87977
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)