Intense, excitement and fun are most of the words that start to describe the way in which two parachute riggers from the 101st Sustainment Brigade “Task Force Lifeliner,” 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), feel as they prepare for sling load operations.
Spc. Vonza Abney, a local of Hinesville, Ga., and Pfc. Hanook M. Chi, a local of Seoul, South Korea, arrive every morning prepared to stand the wild and chaotic rotor-wash as a way to sustain Soldiers through sling load operations.
As the aircraft hovers above these two riggers able to pick up the cargo, the warriors brace themselves against the strong winds and debris that they know is coming their way. Even though it generally is a bit painful in certain cases, the riggers always complete the mission and hook the weight to the belly of the aircraft.
This top priority task provides troops with the must haves had to continue operations in Afghanistan throughout forward operating bases in Regional Command-East, Regional Command-North and Regional Command-Capital.
The air operations sling load team conducted a complete of 322 sling load operations throughout the months of June and July, moved greater than 600 metric plenty of cargo to troops. The team sling loads everything, from food for survival to ammunition for his or her weapons.
According to Sgt. 1st Class Thomas E. Mace, a local of McEwen, Tenn., and air mobility noncommissioned officer to blame with Task Force Lifeliner, the good thing about the sling load is that it allows cargo to be moved more easily and efficiently when other methods of transportation is perhaps plagued by the scale.
Mace excitedly explained, “You can get it done quicker, you don’t must have the fork [forklift] out here in case you already got everything staged, all you’re doing is ‘hooking and booking.’ You’re not having to sit down around.”
Abney explains intimately the method in their daily sling loads.
As a rule, the riggers first conduct a radical inspection of the cargo. They appear for things that might endanger the cargo, the aircraft and personnel.
“You like to use tape since you don’t want any excess like strings or something which could potentially get caught at the sling loads itself. It’s essential ensure everything is secure and tight,” explained Abney.
After the inspection and the aircraft arrives at the scene, the riggers speak with the pilot and that they decide what style of sling load could be conducted that day. Between both riggers and their noncommissioned officer responsible they decide which duties each may have for that exact day.
Finally, using hand signals they guide the pilots to the cargo for pick up then hook the burden to the bird. Once the sling is secured, the warriors quickly dash clear of the aircraft so the burden could be airlifted safely up and away.
This job isn’t easy. It takes lots of exertions and dedication to do that variety of work, but in due course the riggers feel rewarded.
“I love it. i am keen on the push, the adrenaline rush,” explained Abney. “It’s fun, it’s something new on daily basis so far as loads goes and that i just enjoy it. It makes me feel good that I’m actually supplying those who need supplies. Getting [supplies] to them safely in order that convoys can stay off the roads.”
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