Parachute riggers train to the smallest detail

  • Published
  • By Dan Hawkins
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Aircrew Flight Equipment instructors with the 361st Training Squadron are doing their part to provide parachute riggers with advanced training using two supervisory courses designed to sharpen supervisor's eyes to the smallest details that could cause a parachute malfunction during deployment.

The RAM-AIR (High Altitude/Low-Opening) and static-line parachute packing supervisor courses are both five-day courses, focusing on the in-process inspections (IPI) and quality control (QC) checks used during the pack process.

"It's a specialized course, an advanced course," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Call, 361st TRS Aircrew Flight Equipment instructor. "The Air Force wants to be sure parachute packing is done one way, properly by the tech data. They bring the individuals down here and I take the skills (students) have and hone their skills and make them better at what they do as riggers and in the career field."

Both courses take the rigger supervisors deep inside each step of both the IPI and QC processes.

IPI's consist of the secondary line checks by a supervisor during the packing process and can be as many as six or seven inspections depending on the particular parachute being packed.

The QC process involves a third qualified person inspecting the work of the packer and IPI supervisor to ensure the parachute's safety.

The RAM-AIR course students study parachutes designed mainly for the special operations community, such as the MC-4, used by pararescue, combat controllers and others.

Using the same principles as the RAM-AIR course, the static-line course covers the Delta parachute system, or the MC1-1D.

Each course earns students one Community College of the Air Force credit upon graduation.

For Staff Sgt. Amber Engelhart, Aircrew Flight Equipment rigger with the Special Tactics Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., being able to inspect the parachute packing process critically makes the course worthwhile.

"Being at this course teaches us to look more closely at things that can cause malfunctions," Engelhart said. "I can pinpoint things more specifically that could cause someone to live or die, have a malfunction or break a leg. It's really important to have this course so I can make sure the Airman are packing more efficiently and there are no problems when the chute opens."

What makes this advanced training even more vital is the fact that personnel assigned to parachute rigging duties do not go through an initial technical training course to begin their learning cycle. All the training is done locally at the units through on-the-job training by experienced riggers.

"The Air Force doesn't have a basic parachute packing course," Call said. "Aircrew Flight Equipment students in technical training get basic emergency parachute familiarization. This course is set up to hone the skills of the experienced riggers in the career field."

Riggers know each parachute has to be packed right every time, or the consequences can be grave.

"Take this job very, very seriously," said Master Sgt. Dustin Ogburn, 336th Training Support Squadron superintendent and RAM-AIR student. "Not only is somebody's life depending on it, which is number one...if you don't do the job right and you cut corners, that's your freedom as well."

According to Call, passing on the knowledge gained by 12 years in the career field is the best part of the job

"This is lifesaving equipment." he said. "There's only one way to do it and that is the proper way, that is the right way, the Air Force way and you have to be able to do it that way... It's satisfying to know that when my students leave here they've gotten the best instruction the Air Force can give them."

Engelhart, who has been in the Air Force for close to five years, is happy with the path her career has taken.

"I never thought growing up I would work with parachutes and I would hand them over to guys fighting in the war," she said. "To me that is satisfying. To me, it's never boring, I love it!"

The 361st Training Squadron trains more than 4,900 students annually and is part of the 82nd Training Group, which educates and trains officers and Airmen to replenish the combat capability of the Armed Forces.