EOD Airmen work to keep Kandahar safe

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Andrew Schmidt
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  There are many unsung heroes in the war on terrorism. From the security forces Airmen at the front gates to the supply clerks who keep the warfighters equipped, it takes a strong effort behind the scenes to keep today’s Air Force flying.

Here, however, it is difficult to find a group that does more to keep everyone safe than the explosive ordnance disposal Airmen. During the 1980s, the area saw some of the worst fighting of the Soviet occupation and, as a result, there is an abundance of earth-covered bombs, mortars and rockets just waiting to be discovered -- or stumbled upon by unsuspecting people.

That was only the beginning of the unexploded ordnance issues here, said Master Sgt. Jim Skyberg of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group’s explosive ordnance disposal flight.

“After the Soviets left, the locals came in and picked up everything salvageable,” he said. “If there was aluminum or copper in the casings, or just something they could use, they took it and dumped the munitions or whatever the hazard was on the ground.”

Now, decades later, this ordnance lies partially buried throughout the area, hopefully not to be discovered by a morning jogger or an Afghan worker.

“There’s really little threat if people leave them alone, but you never know what can happen if people don’t follow that advice,” he said.

Upon finding an unexploded ordnance, Sergeant Skyberg’s team determines if the device is safe to move. If that is not possible, his team will destroy the item where it is.

Twice a week, detonations are held to dispose of what has been gathered.

“We go out and put the stuff that’s the hardest to dispose of on the bottom of the pile, and the rockets and mortars or any of the bigger stuff goes on top,” Sergeant Skyberg said. “We prime in with a little C-4 and make it all go away.”

The sound of the semiweekly explosions is a normal part of life for those deployed here.

In the time that Sergeant Skyberg has been here, he has seen all types of explosives turn up, including those left over from the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.

“It’s definitely a weekly thing to find UXOs here,” he said. “100 mm projectiles, 76 mm recoilless rifle rounds, 107 mm rockets, 30 and 40 mm grenades, projectile fuses and small arms of all types. You name it, and we should be able to find it.”

It takes a special type of person to take on the EOD mission, said Col. Eric Vollmecke, 451st Air Expeditionary Group commander.

“They’re unique in the Air Force in that they go outside the perimeter daily facing imminent danger as a normal course of their job,” he said. “To conduct these types of missions requires someone with a steady hand and a complete knowledge of the field -- and to be truly fearless.

“Their bravery is on the same par as the rifleman fighting the enemy,” he said.

Through their hard work, the area is becoming safer on a daily basis, he said.

“People can actually walk around the majority of the base without stumbling into something,” Sergeant Skyberg said.

Besides providing EOD support for here, the flight augments Soldiers in disposing of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices set by the Taliban outside of the gate. This provides a special satisfaction to EOD Airmen

“These missions can be a really good experience,” Sergeant Skyberg said. “We definitely feel that we’re part of the war effort. I feel like we’re doing a good thing out there.

“If we can keep people from getting hurt by any type of explosive device, then we’ve had a good day,” he said.