13th FS pilots get reacquainted with survival skills

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  An aircraft explodes in mid-air, the pilot safely ejects, landing in enemy-occupied territory... now what?

Four 13th Fighter Squadron pilots survived this simulated crash-landing scenario during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape familiarization class here Aug. 26.

"This training is geared around a worst-case scenario for the pilots," said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Thomas, 35th Operations Support Squadron SERE specialist. "If they are shot down or have an accident in which they need to eject out of an aircraft over hostile territory, this training gives them the tools to survive."

Although this training was a refresher for the pilots, there were a few new lessons learned.

"Everyone makes a couple of mistakes here and there," said Capt. Don Davenport, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot. "Finding better locations to hide and choosing what and when to take out of the survival kit are always tough decisions. I'm grateful to have this training in a safe environment rather than to experience it in a real world situation."

Here at Misawa, pilots must complete the training every three years.
"For aircrew members to remain mission-ready, they must always be proficient in these skills," said Sergeant Thomas. "This class is taken very seriously--it is meant to save lives."