What is SERE Training in the Air Force?
The Air Force’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training is a comprehensive program designed to prepare airmen for the worst-case scenario: being shot down, captured, or stranded in a hostile environment. The training is intense, mentally and physically demanding, and pushes students to their limits. In this article, we will delve into the world of SERE training and explore what it entails, its history, and the benefits it provides to aircrew members.
History of SERE Training
The concept of SERE training dates back to the early days of air power, when pilots and aircrew members were exposed to the risks of combat. In the 1940s and 1950s, the US Air Force began developing survival training programs to prepare aircrew members for the worst-case scenario. The first formal SERE training program was established in 1947 at the Air Force’s Survival School in McClellan Air Force Base, California.
Over the years, SERE training has evolved to address changing threats and technologies. Today, the Air Force’s SERE training program is considered one of the most comprehensive and effective in the world.
Components of SERE Training
SERE training is a multidisciplinary program that combines survival skills, evasion tactics, resistance techniques, and escape methods. The training is divided into three phases:
- Phase 1: Survival Training – This phase focuses on teaching students basic survival skills, such as building shelters, starting fires, finding food and water, and navigating in the wilderness. Students learn how to survive in a variety of environments, including deserts, jungles, and forests.
- Phase 2: Evasion Training – This phase emphasizes evasion tactics, such as avoiding capture, creating disguises, and using cryptography to communicate with friendly forces. Students learn how to use their surroundings to evade capture and how to make contact with friendly forces.
- Phase 3: Resistance Training – This phase focuses on resistance techniques, such as physical and mental resistance, using propaganda to resist interrogation, and maintaining morale and loyalty. Students learn how to resist interrogation and how to maintain their dignity and sense of self.
Physical and Mental Challenges
SERE training is not for the faint of heart. Students are pushed to their limits, both physically and mentally. The training includes:
- Physical Conditioning – Students are required to pass a rigorous physical fitness test, which includes running, push-ups, and sit-ups.
- Mental Challenges – Students are subjected to psychological games, such as sleep deprivation, isolation, and sensory deprivation.
- Survival Situations – Students are placed in simulated survival situations, such as being stranded in a desert or jungle, with limited resources and equipment.
- Interrogation Training – Students are subjected to simulated interrogation techniques, such as sleep deprivation, physical abuse, and psychological manipulation.
Benefits of SERE Training
SERE training provides numerous benefits to aircrew members, including:
- Increased Confidence – SERE training builds confidence in airmen’s ability to survive and evade capture.
- Improved Situational Awareness – Students learn to assess their situation and make informed decisions about survival and evasion.
- Enhanced Teamwork – SERE training emphasizes the importance of teamwork and coordination in survival and evasion.
- Better Preparedness – SERE training prepares airmen for the worst-case scenario, giving them the skills and knowledge to survive and evade capture.
SERE Training Locations
The Air Force has several SERE training locations around the world, including:
- Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington – This is the Air Force’s main SERE training location.
- Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico – This location focuses on SERE training for aircrew members who will be operating in desert environments.
- Kauai, Hawaii – This location provides SERE training for aircrew members who will be operating in jungle environments.
Conclusion
SERE training is a critical component of Air Force training, providing airmen with the skills and knowledge to survive and evade capture in a hostile environment. The training is intense, physically and mentally demanding, and pushes students to their limits. The benefits of SERE training are numerous, including increased confidence, improved situational awareness, enhanced teamwork, and better preparedness for the worst-case scenario.
Table: SERE Training Phases
Phase | Description |
---|---|
Phase 1 | Survival Training |
Phase 2 | Evasion Training |
Phase 3 | Resistance Training |
Table: SERE Training Locations
Location | Description |
---|---|
Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington | Main SERE training location |
Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico | Desert environment training |
Kauai, Hawaii | Jungle environment training |
Bullet List: SERE Training Skills
• Survival skills, such as building shelters and starting fires
• Evasion tactics, such as avoiding capture and creating disguises
• Resistance techniques, such as physical and mental resistance
• Communication skills, such as using cryptography and radio communication
• Navigation skills, such as using maps and compasses
• Physical and mental conditioning, such as running and push-ups
• Survival situations, such as being stranded in a desert or jungle