Page 3 - Luke AFB edition Aerotech 5-22-15

Arizona’s tanker aircrews test water survival skills

CZ.4HU,FMMZ%FJUMPGG “This is a refresher of what the air- Air Force photographs by MSgt. Kelly Deitloff
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PHQWVDQGXSJUDGHVWRHTXLSPHQWDUH Airmen from the 161st Air Refueling Wing jump into Waddell Cove to simulate exiting an aircraft that has landed in the
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new equipment items in the kits,” said
Peoria, Ariz., May 3.
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members who consistently fly over 66JW9LQFH6HVPD$)(FUDIWVPDQ
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Non aircrew members participate in
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rescue forces arrive. would be responsible for in a real-

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every three years to familiarize the
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the equipment contained in the raft
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and helped the others climb in.
broken into two parts; classroom and
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hands-on in the water.
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members that if the time comes and After all survivors were aboard the
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you know how to use the equipment,” of personnel, equipment and survival

said Storm. components. All members practiced
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contents of the raft outer kit were protect them from the sun and rain on

spread out on a table—a radio, wa- the open water.
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Above left: Airmen from the 161st Air Refueling Wing don their adult/child life
preservers for water survival training at Lake Pleasant in Peoria, Ariz., May
3, 2015. Water survival training encompasses equipment familiarization and
processes in the event of an emergency over-water ditching scenario. Left:
TSgt. Jason Snodgrass, 161st Air Refueling Wing boom operator, ties the side
of the 20-man life raft canopy up for ventilation during water survival training at
Lake Pleasant, Peoria, Ariz., May 3, 2015. Water survival training encompasses
equipment familiarization and processes in the event of an emergency over-
water ditching scenario. Above: SrA. Michael Hastings, 161st Air Refueling
Wing boom operator, assists Col. Chris Triebel, 161st Air Refueling Wing
vice commander, onto a 20-man life raft during water survival training May
3, 2015, at Lake Pleasant, Peoria, Ariz. Water survival training encompasses
equipment familiarization and processes in the event of an emergency over-
water ditching scenario.

May 22, 2015 Aerotech News and Review 3