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Water survival training provides aircrew with life-saving skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Aircrew members in the Air Force receive specialized training to learn how to survive in every environment imaginable, and Osan Air Base has two Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape instructors to keep these fliers prepared.

During Beverly Bulldog 13-02, a base-wide exercise testing Osan's ability to operate in a heightened state of readiness, Capt. Ricky Greer, 36th Fighter Squadron pilot, was evaluated Nov. 5 on how he would be able to survive if he had to egress over water.

However, the SERE instructors were also evaluated on how well they taught the captain.

"We evaluate our pilots during base exercises, but the evaluations assess how we teach," explained Staff Sgt. David Kummerfeldt, 51st Operation Support Squadron SERE instructor. "They show what the pilots remember and help to show us what we need to put more emphasis on in training."

The SERE instructors here also host academic classes each month that cover equipment, wildlife and signaling recovery. However, during base exercises the instructors training and the pilots' information retention is put to the test.

With 2013's Operational Readiness Inspection quickly approaching, the exercise evaluations allow the team to identify any deficiencies and ensure the crews are prepared to demonstrate their capabilities. The evaluations mirror the inspections and reinforce the importance of water survival skills.

"It is always good to get a refresher on important skills such as this," Kummerfeldt said. "You never know what is going to happen, so it's good to be prepared."

All pilots and aircrew members go through the initial water survival course at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., but the training is more broad and not specialized.

"Every three years they are required to refresh their training," he said. "This is beneficial because the secondary training allows pilots to train with their aircraft's specific equipment that is used in real-life situations."

"I love my job," said Staff Sgt. Estiven Gonzalez, 51st OSS SERE instructor. "The fact that I am giving aircrew members the knowledge to survive makes my job worthwhile."