908th Airmen soak up water survival skills

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jay Ponder
  • 908th Airlift Wing
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  Members of the 908th Operations Group recently participated in water survival refresher training during the June UTA.

Staff Sgt. Chad Braunschweig, an instructor with the 22nd TRS Detachment, and the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) specialist for the 908th, gave the training on aircrew water survival. Once again becoming familiar with life vests, members of the 357th Airlift Squadron and the 908th Aeromedical Staging Squadron earned the opportunity to get wet by practicing boarding a single person life raft and a 20-person life raft, then learning how to stay alive in it.

"The reason for training," Sergeant Braunschweig said, "is because aircrews are required by AFI to have refresher training every three years."
"The water survival refresher was exceptional training because we were actually on the water experiencing what was taught in the classroom," said 357th AS pilot Lt. Col. Dave Hughes.

In summing up what motivates him, Sergeant Braunschweig recalled a comment from a former SERE student, "The best complement I have ever heard was from Capt. Scott O'Grady who had come back from his experience in Bosnia (he survived for six days by eating leaves, grass and ants, and avoiding Serb patrols) and said, it looked, felt and smelled like the training he had received.

"That's what we're going after in a real-world environment."

But that was not the only fun members had. "We go above and beyond by bringing in the helicopter," said Sergeant. Braunschweig. As part of the training, members of the Alabama State Trooper Aviation Division flew a helicopter to the staging site. Piloted by Chief Pilot Lee Hamilton, Sergeant Braunschweig directed water extractions of aircrew.

"These guys were excellent pilots and true professionals," said Lt.Col. Hughes, "The pilots and police boat operators deserve our wing's highest appreciation for their efforts and contributions. Additionally, Sergeant Braunschweig and his team did an outstanding job coordinating and setting up this weekend of training."

What was one of the greatest benefits taken away from the training?

"The realism of it all," said Colonel Hughes, "Getting in and out of the rafts on the water and using some of the survival equipment, then actually experiencing a water extraction was as realistic as you can get given the available time we had."

"We want them to remember the training they received and be prepared to perform the mission," Sergeant Braunschweig said in conclusion.