SERE relieves flyer’s fears

Airman 1st Class James Spangler, 39th Airlift Squadron, sits in a 20-man life raft he and several other airmen set up during water survival training May 9, 2012, at Lake Fort Phantom in Abilene, Texas. The water survival course refreshes airmen on events that might occur during an aircraft water landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/ Released)

SERE relieves flyer’s fears

U.S. Air Force Capt. Alicia Datzman, 28th Bomb Squadron, untangles herself from a water-logged parachute during water survival training May 9, 2012, at Lake Fort Phantom in Abilene, Texas. The water survival course refreshes airmen on events that might occur during an aircraft water landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/ Released)

SERE relieves flyer’s fears

Airman 1st Class James Spangler, 39th Airlift Squadron, releases himself from his parachute vest after being dragged during water survival training May 9, 2012, at Lake Fort Phantom in Abilene, Texas. The water survival course refreshes airmen on events that might occur during an aircraft water landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/ Released)

SERE relieves flyer’s fears

U.S. Air Force Col. Walter Ward, 317th Airlift Group commander, draws his firearm while retreating to cover in an active-shooter exercise during navigation and personnel recovery training May 16, 2012, at Lake Abilene in Abilene, Texas. During the navigation and personnel recovery training, airmen navigate difficult terrain to a rally point while avoiding capture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/ Released)

SERE relieves flyer’s fears

Dyess airmen orient a map to determine their location during navigation and personnel recovery training May 16, 2012, at Lake Abilene in Abilene, Texas. During the navigation and personnel recovery training, airmen have to navigate difficult terrain to a rally point while avoiding capture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/ Released)

SERE relieves flyer’s fears

Tech. Sgt. Keith Lafontaine, 39th Airlift Squadron, hides under cover with his firearm at the ready in an active-shooter exercise during navigation and personnel recovery training May 16, 2012, at Lake Abilene in Abilene, Texas. During the navigation and personnel recovery training, airmen had to navigate difficult terrain to a rally point while avoiding capture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Peter Thompson/ Released)

SERE relieves flyer’s fears

Published May 31, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Peter A. Thompson
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- With the possibility of aircraft malfunction, enemy fire and other dire situations constantly on the minds of deployed airmen, water survival and Personnel Recovery training offers peace of mind and allows flyers to complete their mission.

"As a C-130 flight engineer, we are tasked to fly into enemy territory all the time," said Tech. Sgt. Keith Lafontaine, 39th Airlift Squadron. "It can be as simple as flying through unfriendly airspace just to get to the other side, or just passing through an area and being a target of opportunity for some terrorist group."

Airmen from the 7th Bomb Wing and 317th Airlift Group stationed at Dyess Air Force Base underwent refresher training with Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape instructors. SERE specialists prepare Department of Defense personnel to return with honor from potentially isolated events and captivity.

"Every 36 months we touch base on all of our survival training," said Airman 1st Class James Spangler, 39th Airlift Squadron. "We want it to be fresh in our minds so it's almost second nature if any emergencies were to happen."

The water survival course is designed around the possibility of a potential ejection, bailout or egress in an open water environment.

"We went over the basics of a water scenario," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Bailleul, 317th Operations Support Squadron. "They had to release themselves from a parachute drag and swim to free themselves from the chords they were tangled in. Afterward, they each boarded a one-man life raft and together set up a 20-man life raft."

In addition to water survival, combat survival training provides up-to-date techniques, tactics and procedures for potential personnel recovery events on land. Combat survival training is designed to simulate survival, evasion and recovery in uncertain or non-permissible environments.

"Together the refresher courses give airmen the information they need to stay alive and return with honor." said Staff Sgt. Leonard Clark, 7th Operation Support Squadron.

Throughout the night, the airmen came across possible friendlies, simulated locals, and enemy search parties during the training evaluation. Additional training was also given for potential captivity situations during overseas contingency operations.

"We went over getting from point A, to point B and possibly to point C, without getting captured or further delaying recovery," Lafontaine said.

"They learn to survive and navigate on the ground and interact with recovery aspects using the equipment they are issued," said Bailleul.

"With this training I feel as though I can survive," Lafontaine said. "I get a very comforted feeling knowing that if my aircraft were to crash, I can evade my enemies and get to where I need to be. And if I became captured, friendly forces are coming to get me."