Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

U.S. Army parachute riggers assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173rd Brigade Support Battalion ensure parachutes are properly packed, June 17, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The unit packs more than 2,400 parachutes a month in preparation for jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson/Released)

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Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

Parachutes hang in the tower to air dry, June 17, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The parachutes are hung to prevent molding and to help remove debris that may have been tangled in it during jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson/Released)

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Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

U.S. Army parachute riggers assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173rd Brigade Support Battalion prepare to store parachutes, June 17, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Parachute riggers are responsible for providing personal parachutes to airborne units and cargo parachutes for equipment and supplies for air drops. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson/Released)

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Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

U.S. Army Spc. Mario Vallejo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173rd Brigade Support Battalion parachute packer, stores parachutes, June 17, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. In addition to packing, riggers perform regular maintenance and repairs on parachutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson/Released)

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Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

U.S. Army Spc. Jamarr Wilder, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173rd Brigade Support Battalion parachute packer, ensure a parachute is properly packed, June 17, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The unit packs more than 2,400 parachutes a month in preparation for jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson/Released)

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Preparing to fall: Riggers ensure parachute resilience

Published June 18, 2015
By Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- U.S. Army parachute riggers assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 173rd Brigade Support Battalion are responsible for maintaining and packing parachutes used to support airborne units, and equipment and supply drops to deployed locations. These Soldiers pack more than 2,400 parachutes a month.

Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience

Preparing to fall: riggers ensure parachute resilience