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Kandahar Airman keeps eye on mission with eye on ammo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  When the time comes to drop a bomb, air crews need to have confidence that their weapon will work properly, because lives on the ground can be at stake.
That's where Tech. Sgt. Erik Ryland, the senior munitions inspector for the 451st Air Expeditionary group here, enters the picture. 

As a munitions inspector, Sergeant Ryland's duties include maintaining the serviceability of the munitions stockpile, handling the shipping and receiving of munitions, and issuing, inspecting and tracking ammunition for Airmen here. 

The stockpile Sergeant Ryland maintains includes more than 470 items and is valued at more than $10 million, he said. 

Given the size of the stockpile and the high operations tempo, a sharp Airman is needed to get the job done accurately and in a timely manner. 

"Sergeant Ryland is a phenomenal worker," said Master Sgt. Sean Outing, 451 AEG munitions accountable systems officer and Sergeant Ryland's immediate supervisor. "He is extremely proficient and technically sound." 

When a U.S. aircraft not local to Kandahar lands here, it is Sergeant Ryland's team that is responsible for downloading and securing the munitions until they can either ship them out or send them along with the aircraft as it departs. 

Describing one recent example where munitions had to be shipped, Sergeant Outing said that Sergeant Ryland was instrumental in repacking, palletizing and certifying the hazardous goods for shipment. 

"The assets were redeployed without a hitch," Sergeant Outing said. 

Despite a demanding workload, Sergeant Ryland said that the accuracy of munitions inspections remains a top priority for him and his team. 

"It definitely takes someone with a lot of integrity to do this job," said Sergeant Ryland. "There isn't anyone looking over your shoulder every day." 

His supervisor agrees. 

"It takes all kinds of people to accomplish the mission," said Sergeant Outing. "It is the Airmen like Sergeant Ryland in our Air Force that ensure we are always on the cutting edge and redefining what it means to achieve air superiority."