Survival course sends aircrew to the woods Published Aug. 5, 2015 By Mr. Eric M. White 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs RAVENNA JOINT MILITARY TRAINING CENTER, Ohio -- Approximately ten members of the 910th Airlift Wing’s Operations Group spent a day trekking through the woods of Ravenna Arsenal July 31, as part of an aircrew combat survival training course. Staff Sgt. Zachariah Angel, a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) operations craftsman with the 910th Operations Support Squadron, was the primary instructor. Angel said Air Force personnel who are designated with high risk of capture are required to complete the refresher training every three years. “Most likely they’ll never need this training,” said Angel, “but it’s an insurance policy. That way, if they do happen to find themselves downed behind enemy lines or they’re separated from their unit, we teach them the skills and how to use the equipment and how to survive, evade capture, resist capture, resist being interrogated, and how to actually escape from any of those situations.” The training began with survival gear demonstrations. Members of the 910th’s Aircrew Flight Equipment shop prep and maintain survival vests for aircrew members. Master Sgt. Phillip Walsh, aircrew flight equipment craftsman, passed out the survival vests and discussed each item within. The vests include basic survival tools such as multi-tools, flashlights, bug repellant, sun screen, water purification tablets and first aid supplies. Walsh said the life support equipment shop used to conduct these courses, but having a SERE instructor available adds to the depth they’re able to offer. “We maintain all the equipment, and we’re still available to teach this type of thing, but the SERE guys have lived this stuff,” said Walsh. After donning their survival vests, the students were given maps, compasses and radios. Provided map coordinates and a destination, the students split into groups and headed into the woods. Angel challenged the students to use their training to move discreetly through the rugged terrain toward the rally point while evading simulated enemy combatants. Some students used branches, leaves and dirt as makeshift camouflage. Angel met each group at the midpoint to demonstrate how to build a discreet shelter using the BLISS method. BLISS is an acronym for Blend, Low Silhouette, Irregular Shape, Small, Secluded Location. When building a temporary shelter in a hostile environment, following the BLISS guidelines helps evade detection. From the midpoint, the groups pressed on to the final rally point, where their training concluded. Operations Airmen also attend a mandatory water survival course which teaches skills to aid survival in the event of an incident over large bodies of water. “Like I said, they’ll most likely never have to use it,” said Angel. “If they never have to, that’s a good thing. But it’s always good to have that training in your back pocket.” Aircrew Combat Survival Skills Training Capt. Teng Yang, Maj. Vince Repucci and Lt. Col. Perry Sorg (left to right), all aircrew members with the 757th Airlift Squadron, use GPS coordinates and a map to plot their route through the woods during a combat survival skills training course here, July 31, 2015. Approximately ten aircrew members were at Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center for an aircrew combat survival skills training course. The course is a triennial requirement for aircrew members and provides skills for surviving, evading capture, resisting the enemy and escaping a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Capt. Teng Yang, Maj. Vince Repucci and Lt. Col. Perry Sorg (left to right), all aircrew members with the 757th Airlift Squadron, use GPS coordinates and a map to plot their route through the woods during a combat survival skills training course here, July 31, 2015. Approximately ten aircrew members were at Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center for an aircrew combat survival skills training course. The course is a triennial requirement for aircrew members and provides skills for surviving, evading capture, resisting the enemy and escaping a hostile environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White