Deployed Fort Bragg unit sets airdrop record

By 824th Quartermaster Det. PAO

	Photos by Spc. Matthew Veasley/824th Quartermaster Det. PAO Spc. Jacob Menster rigs a Container Delivery System (CDS) with a Low Cost High Velocity parachute. Menster and other members of the 824th Quartermaster Detachment normally drop about 60,000 pounds of supplies to Soldier, Marines and Special Forces units throughout Afghanistan.

The 824th Quartermaster Detachment, a reserve unit out of Fort Bragg, currently deployed to southwest Asia provides aerial delivery support to Soldiers, Marines, and Special Forces units thought Afghanistan.

As the hot summer months go by and the buildup of forces into Afghanistan approaches its peak, the demand for airdrop support continues to increase. On a typical day the detachment of parachute riggers, assigned to the 1st Sustainment Brigade, rigs an average of 60,000 pounds of supplies, ranging from water and meals ready-to-eat to fuel and construction materials.

The riggers use the latest airdrop technology, low cost aerial delivery system a one-time use, stand-alone airdrop system consisting of parachutes, containers, platforms and other air items configured for low-velocity and high-velocity aerial delivery of loads.

All components are simple in design, maintenance and operation and have low production and life cycle costs. The items are designed to be disposable, so they are 55 to 80 percent cheaper than the standard parachutes and containers now used for these type of missions. For the most part, LCADS is used instead of the standard container delivery system with its A-22 Cargo Bag Assembly and either the 26-foot ring slot parachute or the G-12E parachute for missions where recovery of the parachute system and equipment is either not possible or not desirable.

The riggers of the 1st Sustainment Brigade established a new record for airdrop in theater during the month of July. Over 1.8 million pounds of supplies and 1,267 bundles were air dropped over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“These guys are doing a stellar job down here, supporting the increase of forces in Afghanistan, I’m real proud of all of them,” said Col. Donnie Walker Jr., commander of the 1st Sustainment Brigade, during a visit to the rigging facility.

The 1st Sustainment Brigade coordinates for aerial delivery support to over 30 different drop zones throughout Afghanistan.

“Your team had a huge impact on improving morale and the overall capabilities for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan” wrote col. Donald Bolduc, commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan in a letter of appreciation to the unit.

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