Aircrew put to test in SERE training

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Gregory Turner steers a small boat filled with aircrew members toward a training site for a water survival class in the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., April 5, 2010. All pilots and aircrew must receive a portion of their initial Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training in the event of an aircraft emergency. Sergeant Turner is a SERE specialist with the 437th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

Aircrew from Joint Base Charleston float in a 46-man raft in the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., April 5, 2010. As part of the water survival training they are required to complete, the Airmen have to jump into the water and swim to a one man raft and attempt board it without kicking their feet because continuous movement and splashing attracts unwanted attention from potentially dangerous predators. Airmen also have to swim beneath a parachute ring and find their way out on the other side. The exercise is used to simulate survival skills after parachuting into a body of water. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Slupski swims toward a one-man raft after jumping into the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., during a refresher Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training course April 5, 2010. The water survival class is mandatory for all aircrew members and has to be accomplished every three years. Captain Slupski made his initial leap into the water from a 46-man raft. Each aircraft is equipped with three of the large rafts and can be deployed out of the top of the aircraft. Captain Slupski is a C-17 pilot with the 15th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Francis Nelson dives into the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., during a water survival class April 5, 2010. The class is part of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training each pilot and aircrew member are required to complete every three years. SERE is part of the Air Force's "Guardian Angel" weapons system which also includes pararescumen and combat rescue officers. SERE speacilists are considered special operations and currently are the only special operations career in the Air Force which allows females. Sergeant Nelson is a loadmaster with the 16th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

A U.S. Coast Guard rescue diver is lowered into the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., from a helicopter during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape refresher course for aircrew from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., April 5, 2010. The Coast Guard and Air Force team-up for joint training twice a month to teach the aircrew members how to survive in the event of an aircraft emergency. The Coast Guard uses the water survival class as an opportunity to train their rescue divers how to lift victims out of the water and administer proper care. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Slupski is raised out of the water in the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., during Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training April 5, 2010. All pilots and aircrew are required to stay current with their water survival training and take the course once every three years. The U.S. Coast Guard uses the class as an opportunity to train their own rescue teams to pull victims out of the water and administer proper care. Captain Slupski is a C-17 pilot with the 15th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

U.S. Air Force Capt. John Schilling and Staff Sgt. Lindy Snodgrass emerge onto the shore after water survival training in the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., April 5, 2010. All aircrew members are required to complete Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape training once every three years. The water survival course is designed to teach the aircrew how to survive in the event an aircraft emergency should land them in the water. During the training aircrew members complete numerous grueling tasks, one of which requires them to be drug behind a boat in a parachute harness while they attempting to release themselves and swim to shore. Captain Schilling is a C-17 pilot and Sergeant Snodgrass is a loadmaster; both are with the 15th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

U.S. Air Force Capt. John Schilling rests after a taxing Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training class on the Charleston Harbor in Charleston, S.C., April 5, 2010. The refresher course is mandatory for all pilots and aircrew members to maintain currency with their training in the event of an aircraft emergency. The aircrew had to complete a number of tasks, including jumping into the water in full uniform and crawl out onto a one-man raft. Captain Schilling is a C-17 pilot with the 15th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

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Aircrew put to test in SERE training

Published April 14, 2010