How The Air Force Trains For Crashes In Enemy Territory | Boot Camp | Business Insider

Key Concepts

• SERE: Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape – the core training philosophy.
• Dunker Course: Water survival training simulating aircraft ditching.
• Five A’s: Air, Anchor, Accessory, Assist, Assess – a framework for raft survival.
• PLD: Personnel Lowering Device – a repelling system for emergency parachute descent.
• Parasim: Virtual Reality parachute simulator for egress training.
• IP: Isolated Personnel – the term for aircrew who have become separated from friendly forces.
• Hostile Environment Survival: Techniques for surviving in enemy territory, including evasion and combatives.
• Recovery Procedures: Skills for signaling and interacting with rescue forces.

Air Force SERE Training: A Comprehensive Overview

This document details the intensive three-week Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training undertaken by US Air Force aircrews at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. The program prepares personnel for the worst-case scenario: isolation and potential capture following an aircraft crash or operational mishap. The training emphasizes not only physical survival skills but also mental fortitude and the ability to resist exploitation.

I. Initial Water Survival: The Dunker Course

The initial phase of training focuses on water survival, beginning with the “dunker course.” This simulates a crash landing into water, requiring airmen to quickly release harnesses, open aircraft doors (often while inverted), and escape. The course utilizes a submerged fuselage, and the first ride is designed to induce stress and assess initial reactions.

• Procedure: Students are strapped into the simulated aircraft, which is then inverted underwater. They must locate and release their seatbelts and harness, find the door release mechanism (often by tactile search in zero visibility with a blacked-out mask), and exit the aircraft.
• Stress Management: Instructors emphasize controlled breathing and methodical execution of procedures to combat panic. The small class size (16 students) allows for individualized coaching.
• Real-World Application: This training prepares airmen for scenarios involving crashes over water, where rapid egress is critical. The disorientation and physical challenges mimic the conditions of a real ditching.
• Quote: “Just the whole being in the water portion was probably the most stressful. Being on the water strapped down, it can be pretty pretty freaky for most people.”

II. Advanced Water Survival & Raft Living

Following the dunker course, training progresses to more complex water survival scenarios, including overwater landings in high winds and the use of life rafts.

• High Wind Drills: Students practice escaping from a parachute after a simulated overwater landing, experiencing the disorientation and drag caused by strong winds. The goal is to maintain composure and avoid swallowing excessive water.
• Life Raft Familiarization: Airmen learn the nomenclature and use of one-man and 20-man life rafts, including inflation, anchoring, and essential equipment.
• The Five A’s: A core framework for raft survival is introduced: Air (maintaining raft inflation), Anchor (preventing drift), Accessory (utilizing raft equipment), Assist (providing aid to others), and Assess (evaluating the situation and planning).
• Landfall Procedures: Students are taught to identify suitable landing sites and navigate the dangers of approaching shorelines (avoiding rocky ledges, cliffs, and coral reefs).
• Raft Deflation: A practical demonstration shows how to deflate a life raft (avoiding puncturing it) to reduce its profile or create a makeshift shelter.

III. Wilderness Survival & Evasion

The training transitions to land-based survival skills, focusing on wilderness survival and evasion techniques.

• Navigation: Students learn map reading, compass use, and point-to-point navigation. They practice plotting courses and identifying terrain features.
• Shelter Building: Airmen are taught to construct shelters for protection from the elements and concealment from potential enemies. Initial attempts are timed (30 minutes) to simulate the urgency of a real survival situation.
• Shelter Assessment: Instructors provide feedback on shelter construction, emphasizing stability, protection, and concealment.
• Quote: “We teach them to maintain life and eventually return to friendly forces in the most austere of environments.”
• Terrain Association: Utilizing natural landmarks and features for navigation and orientation.
• Location Determination: Using a map, compass, and terrain features to pinpoint exact location.

IV. Combatives & Resistance Training

Recognizing the potential for encountering hostile forces, the SERE program incorporates combatives training and resistance techniques.

• Combatives Introduction: Students receive basic training in hand-to-hand combat, including striking, grappling, and defensive maneuvers.
• Resistance Training: This classified portion of the program simulates capture and interrogation, preparing airmen to resist exploitation and protect sensitive information. Medical and psychological screening ensures students are fit to handle the stress.
• Quote: “We cover all the spectrums of captivity or isolation. And resistance training is just one of them.”

V. Recovery Procedures & Simulated Rescue

The final phase focuses on signaling for rescue and interacting with recovery forces.

• Signaling Techniques: Students learn to use visual signals (ground-to-air signals) and communication devices to attract attention.
• Hoist Training: Airmen practice using the forest penetrator and naval rescue strum – devices used to hoist personnel from difficult terrain or water. Emphasis is placed on proper foot placement and securing the device.
• Virtual Reality Simulation (Parasim): A VR simulator provides realistic practice in parachute egress procedures, including dealing with line twists and malfunctions.
• Live Hoist Exercise: Students are hoisted from a simulated rescue site by a helicopter, experiencing the challenges of a real-world extraction.
• Quote: “We try to just give them the most real capable scenario we can. That way when they are in an isolating event and need to be recovered, they've experienced that real situation.”

VI. Long-Term Survival Considerations

The training acknowledges that recovery may not be immediate, and airmen may need to survive for extended periods.

• Extended Isolation: The program prepares airmen for the possibility of being isolated for days, weeks, or even months.
• Shelter Importance: Building a robust shelter is emphasized as crucial for protection from the environment and potential enemies.
• Quote: “If they do become isolated in a hostile environment, instead of getting picked up in 4 hours, they could have to live out here for days and weeks and potentially even months.”

Conclusion:

The Air Force SERE training is a rigorous and comprehensive program designed to equip aircrews with the skills and mental fortitude necessary to survive isolation, evade capture, and ultimately return home. The program’s emphasis on realistic scenarios, hands-on training, and psychological preparation aims to maximize the chances of survival in the face of extreme adversity. The integration of virtual reality and advanced rescue techniques demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to providing its personnel with the best possible preparation for the challenges of modern warfare.