Behind enemy lines

by Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
23rd Wing Public Affairs

7/13/2010 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Ejecting from an aircraft is not on anybody' s wish list, but if it is necessary in enemy territory, the aircrew member would need the right skills to survive.

The survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors have a vital mission to prepare aircrew and high-risk Department of Defense personnel to survive in all conditions.

"Every 36 months, members have to go through a refresher course for SERE training," said Tech Sgt. Philip Gacek, 38th Rescue Squadron SERE instructor. "Although they've trained before, it's vital to go over the information again because of additions to the course. This helps ensure the skills of these members are honed."

The instructors give the students a refresher course on the proper use of principles, techniques, equipment and procedures necessary to survive anywhere in the world.

The aircrew members who participate in this training go through a full-day course, which starts in the class room and end with hands on training.

"The members receiving the training not only go through the combat survival training they also have to complete water training, parachute and resistance training," said Senior Airman Freddie Kight, 38th RQS SERE instructor.

Even though this was a training exercise, the participating aircrew members stepped up to the occasion and participated as if they were in a real-world situation.

"This training is important to have because we are always learning something new from the methods being put into practice," said Sergeant Gacek. "They don't put their training into practice all the time so this makes sure the information they received from their training is still fresh in their mind."

Aircrew members can now fly safe, knowing the training they endured could save their lives in any situation.



MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Capt. James Buchannan, 75th Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, navigates through the woods with his compass during survival, evasion, resistance and escape training here July 6, 2010. The group participated in four hours of classroom training and then more than 10 hours of hands-on training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman) Hi-res

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