Weapon safety manager keeps range accident-free

Published May 16, 2017
By Senior Airman Harrison Withrow
434th ARW Public Affairs

CAMP ATTERBURY-MUSKATATUCK, Ind. -- As Grissom Airmen send a wall of lead down-range, one man stands out from the camouflage-clad crowd, silently observing from behind, distinguished by his neon-yellow vest emblazoned with the word “SAFETY”.

Jerry Skiles, 434th Air Refueling Wing weapons safety manager, joined Airmen from the 434th Security Forces Squadron at Camp Atterbury-Muskatatuck, Indiana to complete annual weapons qualifications, April 21, 2017.

As with any activity involving weapons and live ammunition, the potential for danger is real and a constant concern.

“We had 180,000 rounds of ammunition on our truck,” said Master Sgt. Chet Nance, 434th SFS non-commissioned officer in charge of Combat Arms. “In my mind, that’s 180,000 opportunities for a mishap.”

Combat Arms has established strict safety procedures which minimize the risk of death or injury, and help to create a more productive training environment. Skiles oversees those procedures and ensures they are followed at all times.

“I’m not required to be on site every single time bullets or bombs come out but this was a very large operation so I felt an inspection was appropriate,” said Skiles. “Before they made the trip to Camp Atterbury, I had Nance create a risk assessment, which we reviewed once I arrived on site.”

“It’s similar to when the Inspector General comes and visits during a real-world operation,” said Nance. “This gives him the capability to ensure we’re doing what we’re supposed to, and gives him oversight of our training.

“He has the authority to make contact with me at any point, identify deficiencies and recommend corrective action that must be taken on the spot,” he added.

Though Skiles’s role is that of a regulation enforcer, he and Nance view working together in a very positive way, and Nance looked forward to having Skiles on the range.

“Skiles and I have an outstanding relationship and have had for almost 20 years,” said Nance. “I don’t see his presence as a burden, but rather as something that enables me to run my operation more effectively, and keep my people safe.”

Despite the bond they’ve developed from years of working together, Skiles is not afraid to intervene when he doesn’t feel things are being done as safely as possible.

“We both view it not as a punishment, but as a learning tool so I can make it as clear as possible, ‘here’s what you’re doing wrong and here’s how we’ll fix it,’” explained Skiles. “Nobody gets upset or has their feelings hurt.

“This is a dangerous environment where you have to take every risk seriously, and Nance fully understands that,” he added.

While the goal is to not have to resort to it, Skiles can choose to cease all weapon-related operations if he feels it is necessary to do so.

“Anything to do with firearms or explosives, I receive my certification and authority from Skiles,” said Nance. “If he walks in and says to shut it all down, then that’s what we do.”

Safety is the first priority for all Air Force training environments, and while everyone must play a part in ensuring that safety, the responsibility ultimately falls on Skiles.

“I’m not here to get in the way or slow them down if I don’t have to,” said Skiles. “However, if I see something that creates an unnecessary risk, I won’t hesitate to put a stop to it.

“It might be training, but these are real bullets and real munitions,” added Skiles. “People can get hurt, so we have to stay alert and follow our procedures so that doesn’t happen.”

Skiles commended Nance and his Airmen for outstanding performance during their week of training.

“They went through several tens of thousands of rounds and didn’t have a single injury,” he said. “Typically you can at least expect a few burns from people getting hit with brass, but safety for this operation was on point.”

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Weapon safety manager keeps range accident-free

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