Page 6 - Desert Lightning News 2-5-16

6 February 5, 2016 Desert Lightning News
www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
Facebook.com/DesertLightningNews

SERE water survival training

Airman 1st Class Ashley N. Steffen

355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DAVIS MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Survival, Eva- (U.S. Air Force photo by Airmen 1st Class Ashley N. Steffen)
sion, Resistance, Escape water survival training taught by a SERE in-
structor from the 355th Operational Support Squadron refreshes an U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Seth Reed, 355th Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Es-
aircrew on how to survive in the event that they become stranded. cape instructor, educates trainees about setting up an emergency canopy on a 20-person raft during a
SERE refresher course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 6, 2016. The canopy can be used to pro-
Crew members complete an initial course and revisit the training tect from the sun and to collect fresh water in the event of rain.
every three years. The refresher training stimulates memories about
surviving undesirable situations such as a downed aircraft.

“It is essential to us to know that we have a plan if anything goes
wrong,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Corey Cody, 43rd Electronic
Combat Squadron flight engineer. “Doing everything hands on is
crucial to develop that muscle memory. It is something you can’t just
get from a PowerPoint slide.”

During the course, a SERE specialist teaches the trainees how to
react during scenarios if parachuting into water.

Scenarios included: if wind catches the parachute causing victims to
be dragged, face-up or face-down, across open water they are able to
react and detach the canopy; how to safely emerge under a parachute
canopy during a water landing and how to enter a personal life raft;
and how to be properly situated for several types of rescue techniques.

“This course gives us the tools we need to survive long enough for
a rescue,” said Lt. Col. Lance Benson, 43th Electronic Combat Squad-
ron commander. “In the event that we go down, we have the basics to
keep the crew together and survive.”

Convenient location We have hundreds of
to serve you: vans to choose from:
Tucson Used and New!
4720 N La Cholla Blvd We buy, we rent
Suite #150 and we sell
Tucson, AZ 85705 wheelchair
(520) 293-3596 accessible vans

CALL » Side Entry
» Rear Entry
to inquire about our » Manual

VETERAN Conversions
DISCOUNT

AND SPECIAL
FINANCE BRAUNABILITY
RATES
The first wheelchair
accessible SUV

www.AbilityCenter.com