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Feature Stories

NEWS | June 16, 2021

1st TSC CG coins young riggers on Qatar visit

By Staff Sgt. Neil W. McCabe 1st Theater Sustainment Command

The commanding general of 1st Theater Sustainment Command coined two riggers deployed here with the Fort Bragg, North Carolina-based 151st Quartermaster Detachment, during his June 10, 2021 visit at the Eric T. Burri U.S. Army Rigging Facility.

"This unit has a phenomenal record of mission success--but, also in terms of standards and discipline, and I would expect nothing less from a unit of paratroopers," Maj. Gen. John P. Sullivan, commanding general, 1st TSC, said.

151st Quartermaster Detachment Commander, 1st Lt. Dwayne Bostic, said that he was impressed Sullivan visited his unit twice during their rotation.

"It means a lot to have Maj. Gen. Sullivan here--just to take time out of his busy schedule," the Augusta, Georgia, native said. "It shows the Soldiers they are appreciated."

Sullivan said that he recently spoke to the incoming and outgoing commanders of Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, who told him that they appreciated the work the riggers do to load palletized supplies for airdrop to their troops.

"They could not be happier with the support they receive from the air delivery piece--as well as what we're pushing to them on the ground. You're a big part of that and I appreciate that--I don't take you for granted," he said.

"Those airdrops you're preparing are absolutely critical, particularly for our special operators on the ground," he emphasized. "I think you already knew that, but let me reinforce it."

After his remarks to the formation, Sullivan was introduced to Sgt. Joshua Parkinson and Spc. Paulo Paulo, two riggers who were selected for recognition by the detachment's senior enlisted advisor, Sgt. 1st Class Michelle Metzger,.

After the 1st TSC Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Perry handed the general two of his command coins, Sullivan stepped back and told Parkinson and Paulo to get ready, because he was going to toss the coins to them out of respect for COVID-19 protocols that preclude the traditional handshake presentation.

Both riggers caught the coins, but Paulo said he was scared he would miss his as it came toward him.

"It was pretty nerve-racking," said the American Samoa native, who joined the Army in 2018. "It's a pretty big coin, you gotta catch it."
Paulo said he was uncomfortable with the recognition. "I do the same as anybody else, so I feel like it's a team effort."

The specialist said that he was thrilled Sullivan came to visit with the riggers.

"He's the first general that I've seen since I've been in the Army," he said. "It means a lot to actually see a general in my workplace."

Perry said that he and Sullivan make a point of visiting Soldiers during their battlefield circulations.

"It's important for both myself and Maj. Gen. Sullivan, as leaders in the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, to visit all of our Soldiers," he said.

"Some Soldiers never get to see the impact they have on the battlefield and riggers are one of those," he said. "They rig all types of classes of supply and they provide an immediate effect to some very austere locations--at the point of need."

The command sergeant major said the intent for the visit was for the command team to express gratitude to the riggers of the 151st Quartermaster Detachment, on behalf of the warfighters.

"They are hearing it from us how much we appreciate them."