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Chapter News & Information The Chapter News has changed from several news pages to all news being placed in this one single location. Because of all the pictures, this page may load slowly. |
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19 Sep 09 - Congratulations go out to Jim Kennebeck and his new bride Elaine. They were married on Saturday, 19 Sep 09. They will eventually reside in the Fayetteville area. 15 Sep 09 - Originally posted on 18 Jul 09 - There are several questions that need to be answered with regard to membership dues, cards, and the Association of Quartermasters overall lack of responsiveness. If you have comments or concerns that you would like addressed, please send them to rhcweb@aol.com. We would also like to hear what you have to say about the RHC stepping out from under the umbrella of the AQM and standing alone as a non-profit association. 21 Aug 09 - SFC Keith Trail shot his way to finish 8th out of 385 compound bow archers at the 125th U.S. National Archery Tournament Aug. 3-7 at Joyce Park in Hamilton, Ohio. Click here for the full story. 14 Aug 09 - The 2009 Rigger Rodeo champions were awarded at the Rigger Ball. The competing teams were talented and skilled Riggers that did an excellent job representing their field and units. To see photos of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, click here. Thanks to 2LT Nuber, WO1 Ivey, SFC Merritt, and MSG Sturdee for making it all possible. 14 Aug 09 - The Rigger Ball was held at the Ft. Bragg Officers Club. There were probably over 350 in attendance. CW4(R) Ken Studer was an awesome guest speaker. An "attaboy" goes out to CW2 Ken Kolbo and others that helped organize this spectacular event. For pictures, click here. 13 Aug 09 - The Rigger Social was held at the SWC Rigger Facility. A good time was had by all who attended. A special thanks to CW3 Kent Dawson, SFC Jones, and the SWC Riggers for hosting this great event. Click here for pictures. 18 Jul 09 - The RHC President's term will be up and an election will be held to fill the position at the 19 Sep 09 meeting. We are looking for a few good candidates. If you want to vote you must be present at the meeting. 18 Jul 09 - There are several questions that need to be answered with regard to membership dues, cards, and the Association of Quartermasters overall lack of responsiveness. If you have comments or concerns that you would like addressed, please send them to rhcweb@aol.com. We would also like to hear what you have to say about the RHC stepping out from under the umbrella of the AQM and standing alone as a non-profit association. 7 Jul 09 - Soldiers make a difference one airdrop at a time. Soldiers speak about Low Cost Low Altitude (LCLA) airdrop from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Salerno, Afghanistan. Click here for the story. 1 Jul 09 - AMC is touting over 15 million pounds of supplies and equipment have been airdropped for OEF/OIF in 2008. Click here for the story from USAF Central PAO. 25 May 09 - Del Weitman called me and said the RHC picnic originally scheduled for 5 June has been cancelled. There was a lack of support and he didn't want to schedule a picnic at Smith Lake for over 100 people if no one was going to show up. Maybe next time. Thanks for all the effort Delma (and Helga too)! 18 Apr 09 - The RHC held a fundraiser in Hope Mills, NC and raised just over $1000 - Way to go!! Thanks to everyone who helped with the event, even the folks that were only able to come out and "get a plate". PICS here. 21 Mar 09 - The RHC has finally raised enough money to fully fund the Rigger Memorial, being placed at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. It will take a couple of months to get the monument made and everything organized. To see a list of contributors, click here. 23 Jan 09 - Check out this article on how the Chief Tyndall and his Riggers from the 824th are supporting the war effort in both OEF and OIF. Click here for the article. 21 Mar 09 - At the monthly RHC meeting, Jim Kennebeck stepped down as the Vice President of the RHC. Bill Bond was elected as the new VP. Thanks for everything Jim and Congratulations to Bill! 7 Feb 09 - The Association of Quartermasters is trying to raise awareness about their annual scholarship program. They plan on giving out 4 scholarships worth $900, $800, $600, and $500. For more information visit their website by clicking here. 20 Dec 08 - The RHC raffled off an awesome print at the 20 Dec 08 breakfast and raised just over $1000 for the Rigger memorial (see below). CW5 Todd Biederman purchased the winning ticket - Congratulations!! Click here to take a look at the print. 15 Dec 08 - CPT Bamba, CDR of the 600th QM (AER&S), would like to invite you to the deactivation of his unit on Friday, 19 DEC 08. Click here for the invitation. 11 Nov 08 - RHC Vice President Jim Kennebeck and member Karl Whitby represented the RHC as they placed a wreath to honor our veterans during the a ceremony in Hope Mills hosted by VFW post 10630. Click here for photos. 8 Nov 08 - The RHC marched/rode in Fayetteville's annual Veterans Day Parade. Once again, Jesmer allowed us to use his perfectly restored Jeeps for the occasion. Click here for photos. 16 Oct 08 - The 5th QM gets busy packing over 8,000 parachutes for the 173rd Airborne in Germany. Click here to see the article. Thanks to CW3 Jose Martinez for sending this in. 13 Nov 08 - Trae Edwards Productions was responsible for taking photos at the 2008 Rigger Ball. They experienced some difficulties getting all the photos out in a timely manner. Please direct your concerns to his website or call Trae at 910-670-8369. 7 Nov 08 - Fayetteville Cares is actively seeking volunteers that want to help with the Boots and Booties event on November 15, 2008. For more information on the "World's Largest Military Baby Shower" visit their website. To volunteer, contact Charlie Cogswell. 7 Oct 08 - Parachute Rigger tests equipment to be fielded to Soldiers. Click here to see the article highlighting SSG Paredes' efforts while assigned to the ABNSOTD, Ft. Bragg, NC. 1 Oct 08 - The 824th QM dedicated their Rigger Facility in Balad, Iraq to honor SPC Eric T. Burri. SPC Burri was killed on June 7th, 2005 when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near his HUMVEE in Baghdad, Iraq. Click here for more info. 26 Sep 08 - The 2008 Rigger Ball was hosted by the 11th QM with approximately 350 people in attendance. Special thanks to Crystal Gonzalez, Ken Kolbo, Michelle McDevitt, Charlie Cogswell, and guest speaker Al Lanier for their efforts in making this a great event. To view pictures, click here. 25 Sep 08 - The 2008 Rigger Social was hosted by the USAJFKSWC&S Rigger Facility. There were over 100 retired and active duty Riggers, friends, and family present for the fun. To view pictures, click here. 24 Sep 08 - The 2008 Rigger Rodeo was hosted by the 11th QM Co. There were 9 different teams from across the United States and Europe. Special thanks to Keith Trail and the effort he put into organizing the event. Click here to see photos of the winners being presented with awards. 20 Sep 08 - Jim Kennebeck was elected as the new Red Hat Chapter Vice President at our September monthly meeting. Congratulations to Jim. 1 Sep 08 - A Swiss parachute collector has contacted the RHC for help in trying to identify a very old parachute rigger kit. Click here to look and see if you can help him identify it. 3 Sep 08 - Sesame Street is coming to Ft Bragg Oct 1st and 2nd. DoD ID card holders get up to 6 free tickets per family. Stroller friendly and kids under 2yrs don't need a ticket. Click here for details. 31 Aug 08 - During the July 2008 Red Hat Chapter (RHC) meeting, the motion was made (and carried) to raise funds (Approx. $3700) to place a Rigger Memorial along the entrance of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville, NC. Click here for more information and/or to donate. To see a list of contributors, click here. 29 Aug 08 - CW2 Joe DeCosta organized Riggers from the 11th QM and Special Operations for a motorcycle ride at 1000hrs, 29 Aug 08, to help raise money to sponsor E-4 and below to the 2008 Rigger Ball. The ride started in Hope Mills, stopped at the Cracker Barrel in Smithfield for lunch, and then we cruised back home. Click here for PICS. 24 Aug 08 - Soldiers of the 824th QM CO (AD) Det 6 set up a drop zone in Iraq for the delivery of Low Cost Aerial Delivery (LCADS) bundles. Click here for photos. 21 Jul 08 - The 2008 Rigger Ball is scheduled for 26 Sep 08 at the Ft Bragg Officers Club. Ticket reservation forms are available here. The deadline for registration is ASAP!! As of 18 Sep 08, over 300 tickets have been sold and 25 soldiers have been sponsored by others, I think it is going to be maxed out!! Get your tickets now and consider sponsoring a Soldier E-4 and below to help them offset the cost of attending. 16 Jul 08 - The 196th QM hosted the 2008 Red Hat Chapter Reunion on 20 Jun 08. Click here for details and photos (write-up done by CW2 Tony Hall). Even though the RHC voted to pay for the "eats", Chief Hall insisted that he take care of the tab (thanks Tony!). Our hats are off to Chief, "JJ" (Soon to be Mr. "JJ"), and all the Riggers of the 196th that made this possible. 7 May 08 - SFC Trail announces the 2008 Rigger Rodeo. Dates are 22-26 Sep 08, additional info click here. The event will culminate with awards handed out at the 2008 Rigger Ball. 5 May 08 - CW4 Lantz re-enlisted SSG Baysden in a CH-47 over Iraq. How cool! CW4 Lantz Re-ups SSG Baysden
While in a CH-47 in flight over Iraq! 26 Mar 08 - It looks like the 824th QM is "doing their thing" in Iraq. For photos of CDS in the aircraft, in the air, and recovery operations - click here. 26 Mar 08 - "Airborne Operations Return to Ft. Hood" CW2 Frank Badalucco puts on a demonstration to help expose airdrop and airborne operations to the 4th Sustainment Brigade. Get the full story and photos by clicking here. 17 Mar 08 - If you haven't heard, the 2008 International Rigger/Dispatcher Reunion will be held in Siaigon, Vietnam 1-7 SEP 08. Click here for more information. Alan Henry sends us: "Found your web page by accident. I served as rigger and jump instructor in the service company of the 506th (of the 101st) from Feb 1944 to October 1945. Got my wings and training at Ft. Benning in about Dec 1943. Never heard of a Rigger badge or any of the other things related to Riggers that seem to be listed on the Internet. Parachuted into Son, Holland 17 Sept 1944 but only stayed less than 2 weeks and was ordered (with 3 or 4 others) to get to Brussels best way we could since there would be a plane waiting to take us back to England. The Jump school was in Chelton Foliat England in 1944 and near Reams, France in 1945. I probably packed thousands of chutes but nobody was counting. Looks like Riggers get a bit more credit now than they did back then. Good luck to you all. See pic below - It included all the riggers in the 506th - I'm 3rd from the left on the 3rd row down. They didn't all make it home."
14 Feb 08 - The Red Hat Chapter has learned that one of our International friends, Bill Campbell, is losing his eyesight and nothing can be done about it. This combined with his lack of hearing presents a huge handicap for him and his wife Beth to deal with. If you visit the states in the future, the RHC will gladly give you all the assistance you might need! 18 Jan 08 - Check out a 4 page article (click here) on Low Cost Low Altitude (LCLA) airdrop in Afghanistan. It is titled "An Innovative Approach to Combat Logistics" 1 Jan 08 - New 2008 Pay Chart (click here) 7th SFG(A) Riggers in Afghanistan Sources say a small number of Riggers in 7th SFG(A) currently deployed in support of OEF have rigged hundreds of thousands of pounds of beans, bullets, fuel, among many other things. I say they are kicking some serious Afghan butt!! Great jobs guys, keep up the good work, and come home soon!
Rigging some big 'ole bullets K-loader maxed out with CDS
SGT Porchia's Re-up Crowder's promo to SGT SPC Krey's Re-up Apr '07 Monthly Breakfast At our monthly April '07 breakfast, the Red Hat Chapter donated over $400 to AER (Army Emergency Relief). At one time or another, almost everyone has been to AER personally or sent one of their soldiers. They offer many services to all soldiers. The money was presented to SFC Sorgrapheth by Del Weitman (RHC President), Buz Baskett (RHC VP), and CPT Fickel (Former CDR, 11th QM Company). We also had the pleasure of listening to Paola Salas' (daughter of SSG Paredas) brief summary of her trip to Washington DC. She was very articulate and her presentation skills were awesome. The Red Hat Chapter had the pleasure of sponsoring part of her trip. It was great that she gave us the "Rest of the story".
Del Weitman presents over $400 to AER Paola Salas presentation CW2 Anthony Hall tells us about the Riggers recent mission in Italy: Click here for the Video (approx. 5MB) "This
was an effort that was done after a mission jump week. The 173rd ABCT
had requested and jumped 1500 T-10D’s with zero malfunctions and allowed for
over 1400 Paratroopers to maintain proficiency and meet the 4 “jump rule
requirements” for the up and coming deployment. These 173rd AD
Platoon Parachute Riggers has been recognized for an effort that as mentioned
earlier allowed for this ABCT to become and maintain deployment readiness."
Riggers assigned to 600th QM attached to the 368th Cargo Transportation Company, serving in Iraq, recently made news in an Army publication called the Anaconda Times. Look at the cover and see page #7. Click here for the Anaconda Times (approx. 3MB) To see how they got the order, rigged, and airdropped 9,000lbs of fuel for coalition forces in less than 8 hours, Click here. Warrant Officer Dave Bird sends PICS of two soldiers from the 600th QM being promoted. Big thanks to 368th CTC for getting the orders so quick. CONGRATULATIONS!!
SGT Shoffit (1 Feb 07) SSG Forrest (1 Mar 07) Riggers in Afghanistan make the news on the U.S. Army's website. The Quartermasters Center and School's own SGM Mary Brown tells us all about it. |
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On 20 JAN 07, we held our monthly Red Hat Chapter Breakfast at the Golden Corral on Skibo Rd. We started at just after 0900hrs and the breakfast/meeting lasted about one and a half hours. CW5 Jimenez gave us a briefing on where the Rigger field is going with technology. He talked about precision guided airdrop where bundles weighing between 501-2200lbs can get out of an aircraft at altitudes up to 25,000ft AGL and guide themselves using GPS technology up to 20 miles away and land within 150 meters of the intended landing point. He also showed a couple of videos of heavy drop and paratroopers exiting the aircraft. Great stuff, we appreciate him taking the time to share information with us. Below are some photos from the breakfast.
Our Chapter Vice President "Buz" Baskett (left) and President Del Weitman hard at work.
Bill Bond and Fred Chrisman talking about the "Good 'Ole Days"
We had about 30 people attend the January Breakfast
CW2 Joe Decosta's beautiful daughters.
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"Robert MacAdam, Come on Down!"
On 10 JAN 07, one of our own, Robert "Bull" MacAdam was on the "Price is Right". He even got dressed up for the occasion. Click here to see the Yuma, AZ news clip. Click here to see Bull called down to contestants row. Click here to see Bull spin the wheel. Click here to see him win the showcase. FREE LUNCH On 17 JAN 07 the Red Hat Chapter in conjunction with the Special Warfare Center and School Rigger Facility hosted a free lunch for all Riggers on Ft Bragg. This "Weiner Wednesday" is something the Chapter likes to do every so often to just give Riggers a chance to get together, share some stories and camaraderie over a free hot dog and a Coke. There was probably close to 100 people that showed up. Attendance was low because there are so many Ft Bragg Riggers deployed. It is the Chapter's way of saying thanks to all the active duty folks. If you haven't tried Jim Kennebeck's famous beans, you don't know what you are missing! We appreciate SSG Jones and CW4 Michel letting us use their awesome Rigger Facility. Below are some photos.
SSG Jones the "Grill Master"
WO1 Dave Bird and his crew were able to have their own "Weiner Wednesday" while deployed in Iraq. Come home safe guys.
This was the serving line with SGM(R) Hebron and SFC(R) Kennebeck slingin' the chow. Seconds anyone?
Two 11th QM and one SWC Rigger comparing job satisfaction. Home is what you make it. |
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Chapter Breakfast 16 DEC 06 The December breakfast brought together about 25 Parachute Riggers to the back room of the Golden Corral restaurant on Skibo Rd. Some chapter business discussed was the following:
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Veterans Day Parade 11 November 2006 In what has become an annual tradition with members of the Red Hat Chapter, folks gathered around Gaylin "Jess" Jesmer's expertly restored Jeeps waiting for the parade to begin in downtown Fayetteville, NC.
Afterwards the parade, chapter members sat down and broke bread at the Huske Hardware House.
If you have never seen Jess's Jeeps, they are absolutely beautiful. The time, detail, and effort he has put into these vehicles (and trailer) is unreal. The results are amazing!
Below are a couple of guys that were told to "Hurry up and wait"
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2006 International Rigger Reunion To view or purchase pictures from the reunion click here. The Red Hat Chapter hosted the 2006 International
Rigger (and Air Dispatcher) Reunion in beautiful On Thursday, we
loaded the buses and traveled to Friday morning
started with a chance to visit downtown We boarded the buses again Saturday
and headed towards Ft Lee, Sunday we loaded
the buses and headed back to Washington
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Send questions, comments, and news to: RHCWeb@aol.com |
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Copyright © 2009 Red Hat Chapter & Digital Media Production Co. |
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