Parachute riggers from Alaska compete to be the best Rigger honors
BASED joint ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska-parachute Riggers of the 725th Brigade support battalion (Airborne), 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division took part in the competition of best Rigger in based joint Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 12-14 November 2014.
The winners will represent armed American Alaska at the Rigger rodeo coming to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, expected late spring 2015.
The competition for best climber tests Riggers on their abilities to work with the skills that they have not used for some time as among the container delivery systems.
"It is actually a lesson in humility because much of this stuff you learn in school and you touch not again for long periods of time," said Sergeant James Bonnington, a competitor in the event. "These CDS [container delivery system], we used to be able to do it with eyes closed, this time, thank God I had this manual!
The competition consisted of four main areas: packing parachutes, cargo parachutes, equipment and maintenance of aerial delivery and a written exam of 50 questions.
Competitors packed main T-11 and reserve parachutes of staff, G - 12D and rigged to a CD cargo parachutes. They also spliced lines for G-11 and G-12 parachutes.
"It's really nice. As Riggers, we like to joke much, so it's just another competition for us, '' said Spc. Garrett Katelyn, a native of Wilson, S.C.. "As a normal day, not even just because of competition, race us between them on the tracks of the pack. This is just a fun environment. We are all family, as in competition with the family. We can joke about mistakes make us, laugh and get some serious and return and correct."
Each event was a team effort, except for the written examination and army physical fitness Test.
"We have a PT Test, which consists of three different sections, to see how physically fit they are," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melvin Vega Velez, the officer responsible for the event. "We have many of our soldiers who can reach more than standard, so we will use a ladder extended to grade."
The contest ends November 14 winners of the competition recognized by the general of the USARAK-Commander, major-general Michael H. Shields, when he presented parts of excellence before the formation of the entire brigade.
The winners of the contest were awarded the medal army achievement presented by their battalion commander, Lt. Col. Peter Crandall.
Velez said that by completing the competition, Riggers Spartans demonstrated their capabilities and readiness by being prepared to execute with precision each rigger task.