EOD team clears munitions, ensures safety

Photo By Staff Sgt. Malissa Lott | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Casey Stryhas, 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team member, prepares a munition for disposal in Southwest Asia, April 13, 2019. The EOD team works with host nation forces to ensure the proper disposal of unexploded ordnance found in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Malissa Armstrong)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

04.13.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Malissa Lott 

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve   

SOUTHWEST ASIA — It’s a new morning and the 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team packs equipment into the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle. In just a few hours, they’ll conduct a controlled detonation.

“Daesh owned this land two-and-a-half years ago,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bradley Taylor, 441st AES EOD team lead. “Instead of putting up fences, they used [improvised explosive devices] to stop individuals from coming into their controlled area. There are still IEDs out there. We know that, but we don’t know how much.”

Controlled detonations are one way the 441st AES EOD team disposes of these IEDs and any other munitions they find.

The EOD team has been working closely with the local forces to clear munitions, specifically unexploded ordnance and IEDs, found in local farmers’ fields and around friendly forces’ controlled areas.

“When the [host nation] was working toward expanding the base, the [UXOs] were hindering them, so we went to help clear those areas so they could continue building,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Casey Stryhas, 441st AES EOD team member.

These Airmen work with host nation forces whenever they go off-base.

“We’ve had plenty of talks with the commander who controls this area,” Taylor said. “Whenever we respond to calls, we bring [his team] with us to show the locals they’re helping clean up, and that we’re there to support as a joint partner.”

The EOD team has spent countless hours in the communities, engaging with the local population and working with them to support the area.

Since the 441st AES has been here, Airmen have helped coordinate a clothing drive for the children in the villages and even built a school.

“I think we’ve built a really good relationship with the people around the base,” Stryhas said. “They wave and yell ‘thank you’ whenever we come through.”

The team coordinated with local EOD teams prior to the deployment so they wouldn’t waste any time getting to work.

Thanks to the work of this EOD team and the joint partnership integration of host nation forces, the surrounding community is much safer than it was under Daesh rule.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2019
• Date Posted: 05.12.2019 03:55
• Story ID: 322128
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)