How I Serve at Fort Bragg: Parachute Riggers

Fort Bragg's Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG), operated by the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, under the XVIII Airborne Corps, are always ready to deploy an Airborne brigade task force, anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

The mission for the heavy drop mission sites is to prepare aerial delivery support to the 82nd Airborne Division by rigging all heavy drop platforms and CDS bundles, providing Joint Airdrop Inspectors for all rigged loads and conduct in-plane activities for all heavy drop aircraft.

The red hats keep the riggers visible in all areas at Green Ramp making them easily recognized to help others with their equipment. The schedules vary based on the mission and are often around the clock, but they keep the parachutes packed and load up the supplies needed for each mission.

Pfc. Thomas Seekins, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, has served at Fort Bragg for three years as a '92 Romeo' - a Parachute Rigger.

Sgt. Aaron Jadallah of Tampa Florida, has served at Fort Bragg since Oct. 2011 but it is his first time in an air delivery platoon.

On a day-to-day basis Seekins and Jadallah might help pack parachutes for personnel, but they mainly prepare CDS bundles, water blivets, drafts, gators, or other vehicles and heavy equipment to be air dropped for either training or mission purposes.

"I enjoy the camaraderie of the team and that is important," said Jadallah."We work really long hours, it varies."

Both soldiers go to the gym in their down time, play basketball and Skype with their families.