DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Throughout 2016, 919th Special Operations Wing public affairs will highlight the Airmen of specific flights throughout the Reserve wing here. There will be four installments in this series. The Aerial Delivery Flight is part of the 919th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron. Their mission is to prepare, load and recover cargo parachutes used to train special operations loadmasters. The entire process from inspection, prepare and then recovery takes 90 minutes.
Staff Sgt. Justin Spencer
Spencer has been a reservist for six years with four years active experience. He joined the Reserve to go to school, but did not want to completely leave the Air Force or his career field.
He said the best part about being a parachute rigger, especially with the 919th SOLRS, is how unique the job is to what many in his career field do, both active and reserve.
“There just aren’t many Airmen parachute riggers anymore,” said Spencer. “It is usually accomplished by civilians or the Army so there are very few of us out there doing this job.”
Staff Sgt. Melissa Derkatz
Derkatz is a traditional reservist. She said she feels there is a great camaraderie with the Aerial Delivery Flight. She described it as “a working family.”
Senior Airman Ben Swiker
Swiker, a five-year reservist, also described the solidarity and strong bonds within the unit as a type of “brotherhood.”
Staff Sgt. Kelby Reimer
Reimer, a six-year veteran, also said he appreciates the vast differences of being a parachute rigger specifically with this wing.
“It’s a whole new experience and level of training you can’t get anywhere else,” he said. It gives you a sense that you are part of the fight. Knowing those Airmen are counting on you and your work to accomplish the mission is very rewarding.”