MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Jump qualified Marines from 4th Force Reconnaissance Co., and 1st Radio Bn., MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, recently put into operation a new storage and repair area for parachutes and other jumping equipment.
The new paraloft was ceremonially opened Nov. 4 by Brig. Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, commanding general of MCB Hawaii, and it will provide Marines with such basic functions as adequate storage space, equipment security, and a central area for parachute riggers from different units to work together on unfamiliar equipment.
"This was just an obvious example of a win-win situation for the base and the Marines," said Brig. Gen. McAbee. "We transformed an old warehouse into a functional and necessary facility for Marines training here."
"The Marines from 1st Radio use some different gear than we do," said Staff Sgt. Jerry Smith, paraloft chief for 4th Force Recon. "It will be good for our riggers to work together in a single area, just to gain more experience working with unfamiliar equipment."
The new facility will feature several different parachute lockers and other storage areas that are necessary in a safe paraloft. Different types of parachutes must be kept in different areas.
Likewise, damaged or unserviceable gear must be held separate from gear that is ready to be used.
"It's all about control," said Staff Sgt. Smith. "It's essential that we keep the gear locked up. No one is allowed in the paraloft without being escorted by a rigger.
"The units' gear will even be separated, so they only have access to the gear that belongs to them. It's going to be very secure in the new area."
The new facility comes from a converted storage area, which was utilized by 4th Force and a P-3 Orion squadron aboard the base. The building was emptied out and cleaned to meet paraloft standards.
Construction on the building, including new lockers and storage areas, totaled around $70,000.
"That's not very much at all considering the security it will provide for the lives of Marines jumping," said Smith. "We want the Marines here to stay safe."