Instructors get SERE-ious

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacy Moless
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  You're flying mission critical supplies to personnel out in the field behind enemy lines. Suddenly, the aircraft rocks, and the engines begin to shut down. The pilot radios a distress call and tells everyone on board to prepare for an emergency landing. Thoughts of fear race through your mind as you think about your safety, your life and your family.

While the altimeter continues to drop, practical questions begin to surface, "Where will we land? How will we survive with no food? What if we land in the ocean? How long will we be out here? Are we going to be stuck here for days, weeks, months?" Then, a moment of clarity hits and you think back to your survival, evasion, resistance and escape training.

While situations like this are rare, the SERE instructors with the 374th Operations Support Squadron make it their mission to prepare Airmen for such a scenario, giving them the tools needed to survive so they can return safely to their loved ones.

"As military members, we are sometimes called to perform missions that put us in harm's way, and when things don't go according to plan, it can lead to uncertainty and doubt," said Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Rosciglione, 374 OSS SERE instructor. "The underlying importance of SERE training is it gives individuals tactics and techniques to deal with the most austere conditions in an unknown, and potentially hostile, environment."

Every three years, Air Force aircrew members are required to complete a week-long session of SERE refresher training. The  training includes water survival, emergency parachute operation, local area survival, self-aid and buddy care, parachute jumps, conduct after capture and combat survival training.

Many of the lessons taught during SERE training are based off the experience of instructors who know about the local environment and available resources.

With Airmen deploying from Yokota in support combatant commanders around the world, adaptability becomes even more important, relying on SERE instructors to prepare them for what they could face while downrange.

"In our society we sometimes get dependent on certain comfort items. People don't often think about the ramifications of extended periods of time without heat, air conditioning, readily available food and water and the sense of security that comes withbeing in a familiar environment," said Rosciglione. "Adaptability in any environment, both by maintaining a positive mental attitude and through proper understanding and use of survival gear, is crucial to a person's ability to maintain life, maintain honor and return [home]."

Additionally, the course also increases a students' confidence in their equipment as well as their own ability to survive, helping them keep a level head in a dangerous situation.

"If you don't know how to use your equipment and resources, then you are only hindering your own chances of survival," said Capt. Raul Roldan, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot and recent SERE student. "The simple fact is now I know how to successfully survive should it actually come to that."

SERE specialists dedicate their lives to preparing Airmen for the worst possible situation so they may "return with honor," which is the core lesson taught during SERE training.

"They are equipped, trained and ready to survive, evade, resist, and escape and we are ready to get them home," said Rosciglione.