Rigged and ready

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Brandon Kalloo Sanes
  • 920th Rescue Wing

Moving 1,000 pounds is tough, securing it to a parachute to be dropped into a warzone might be tougher – unless you’re a parachute rigger in the 920th Rescue Wing.

The 920th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s air transportation specialists, also called riggers, are part of a unit tasked with procuring, managing and transporting supplies for 920th RQW Airmen; supporting the unit’s ability to rapidly deploy at anytime, anywhere in the world.

They safely house and distribute thousands of pounds in cargo, oftentimes rigging payloads with parachutes that can be used to replenish ground forces with supplies – even in the midst of combat.   

“It’s our job to pack and deliver supplies to the flight line so our warfighters can complete their mission,” said Technical Sgt. Nathan Edwards, an air transportation specialist. “Everything comes to a standstill without logistics. That goes for any organization.”

Edwards and a team of almost 30 reservists manage every logistical aspect of mission readiness for the wing from purchasing to delivering supplies. They begin by determining mission essentials and build out a manifest with comprehensive cargo details covering contents, passengers, and the crew.

Before one of the 920th RQW’s HC-130J Combat King II aircraft mobilizes it needs to have its cargo carefully parceled, weighed and loaded onto the aircraft. Air transportation specialists inspect each item for damage before organizing everything into separate bundles called container delivery systems. Hazardous items, like ammunition, must be wrapped with special fabrics and may require additional shock-absorbent materials for protection.

After everything is processed at a warehouse, Airmen use forklifts to transfer goods to the flight line where they coordinate with load masters to load the aircraft. At that point, the container delivery systems can be air dropped at different velocities depending on mission requirements.

Low velocity drops usually include heavy machinery, vehicles and even boats. High-velocity drops are designed with slits so they hit the ground faster. These are usually reserved for supplies that are urgently needed like water, munitions and communications equipment.

“It sounds like a mini cannon because of the impact,” said Edwards. “High-velocity drops allow us to get supplies to austere locations quickly when they’re most needed.”

Senior Master Sgt. Javier Matos, 920th LRS Aerial Port Flight Chief, said his unit supports 39th Rescue Squadron, which flies the 920th RQW’s fixed-wing aircraft but is capable of assisting other airframes as well. During training exercises, his flight constructs pallets comprised of water tanks, massive parachutes, and sturdy cardboard bases capable of withstanding high-velocity drops. When they’re not out supporting the 39th RQS with deliveries they have an important administrative role procuring materials for the wing.

“We do it all and have a diverse, tightknit group with a one team, one fight mentality,” said Matos. “We have a wide spectrum of knowledge and we’re a big family. It’s that culture that makes our team particularly special.”