Riggers Step Into New Roles

Story by Sgt. Marcus Butler
Posted on 03.28.2007 at 03:28pm

 By Sgt. Marcus Butler
4th BCT (ABN), 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs

KALSU, Iraq - From the parachute shack in the artic of Alaska, to the temperate climate of Iraq, parachute riggers trade their parachute packing techniques for skills well outside of their specialty.

Transitioning from packing parachutes for airborne operations, the riggers from 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division been taking on responsibilities ranging from base defense, base beautification, flying unmanned aerial vehicles, tracking the battlefield, to the quick reaction force for Forward Operating Base Kalsu.

Deploying to Iraq with no missions involving their military occupational specialties, the Riggers had to accept the new missions that were bestowed upon - missions that none of them knew what to expect.

Satisfying the needs of the brigade’s mission in Iraq, the riggers spread like the wind and landed in various positions, and adapted to the environment.

“Even though none of these positions were placed in our job field, we are handling the hand that was dealt to us and accomplishing the mission,” said Warrant Officer Robert Zimmerman, deputy forward operating base mayor and Albany, Ga. native. “This experience has opened my eyes and broadened my professional skills.”

“As deputy mayor, I am in charge of overall land management for the FOB, force protection, housing and providing badges for the local national, civilians and department of defense personnel for the base,” said Zimmerman.

The Riggers also have to leave the FOB to help in the security of the local area surrounding the base as part of the quick reaction force.

“I love this job,” said Staff Sgt. James Gouviea, a team leader for the base QRF team and a Hillsboro, N.H. native. “It is not bad at all doing what we are doing now. It gets us involved in the mission out here and gives us a sense of purpose.,”

“I get to gather intelligence, discourage anti-Iraqi and anti-coalition forces, which makes the base a little safer for my fellow paratroopers and local nationals working within its walls,” Gouviea added.

Steadily adding to their resume here in Iraq, the riggers are also involved with manning the gates of the base.

Working rotating shifts, the riggers take up their positions in full combat uniform to include helmet and body armor from the moment they come on shift to the time that they are relieved.

“This was a real test for us,” said Spc. Jonathan Dallefeld a native of Bushnell, Ill. “I love it because it shows how well we have handled the transition from one position to another.”

Encompassing almost every aspect of security and up-keep for the base was not enough for these paratroopers; they had to have that one more thing to give them that 110 percent push.

That push came from the “handy man” of the group, Sgt. Alan Everett.

“Sgt. Everett is one of the easiest people to work with that I have ever encountered” said Zimmerman. “He is the go to man for us.”

Everett, a native of Granby, Mo., by using his carpentry skills, has in one way or another has been involved in every major building project on the base.

All of these paratroopers have adapted to the dramatic changes set before them.

“The paratroopers have clearly maintained and at times surpassed the standard set for them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Alan Schweinhagen, Archbold, Ohio native and platoon sergeant for the Riggers. “I was not worried at all about how we would perform with these new tasks. I just wanted to see how far above the standard we would excel.”

"American Parachutists...devils in baggy pants...are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."
(An entry in a German officer's diary found after the Battle of Anzio)