Civilian Matthew Dye, 14th Fighter Squadron unit program coordinator, looks down the sight of his simulated AK-47 rifle during a combat survival training exercise at Draughon Range, Japan, Sept. 9, 2015. Dye was assigned the role of enemy combatant and his mission was to hunt pilots who had egressed into his territory. Upwards of 30 role-players are used for CSTs as friendly civilians or enemy combatant. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. James Broncheau, 13th Fighter Squadron chief of plans and mobility, is interrogated by a simulated enemy combatant during a combat survival training exercise at Draughon Range, Japan, Sept. 9, 2015. When pilots egress into enemy territory, their goal is to successfully survive, evade, resist and escape back to safety. During CSTs, role-players will aggressively hunt downed pilots and re-enact capturing them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. James Broncheau, 13th Fighter Squadron chief of plans and mobility, communicates over radio his coordinates during a combat survival training exercise at Draughon Range, Japan, Sept. 9, 2015. During the exercise, Broncheau was captured by hostile combatants and brought back to a makeshift village for interrogation. When a pilot is captured during these exercises, they are required to report their location and status to a waiting survive, evade, resist and escape specialist, providing them guidance on how to stay alive . (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. James Broncheau, 13th Fighter Squadron chief of plans and mobility, examines a map of his surroundings during a combat survival training exercise at Draughon Range, Japan, Sept. 9, 2015. During the CST, Broncheau simulated egressing into enemy territory, needing to escape alive in a certain amount of time. The designated area for CSTs in Draughon Range covers approximately one square-kilometer of terrain to navigate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Combat survival training

35th Fighter Wing volunteers are briefed by a safety instructor prior to a combat survival training exercise at Draughon Range, Japan, Sept. 9, 2015. CSTs contain upwards of 30 role-players at a time simulating enemy combatants, who egressed pilots have to evade during a 24-hour period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Misawa pilots evade capture during CST

Published Sept. 9, 2015
By Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

DRAUGHON RANGE, Japan -- A combat survival training exercise was held at Draughon Range, Sept. 9, 2015.

The exercise was designed to train 35th Fighter Wing pilots how to avoid capture by enemy forces if they ever find themselves egressed on the frontline.

"For pilots, it is a requirement for them to be combat mission ready," said Staff Sgt. Jason Allchin, 35th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist. "Pilots are isolated and have to navigate toward friendly forces while avoiding the enemy. Details for the exercise are masked to keep the pilots surprised."

Held monthly, CSTs bring together Airmen from various agencies throughout the 35 FW as volunteers whose roles range from harmless civilians to armed combatants.

"As an opposition force member, your sole job is to hunt down and hopefully capture these pilots by any means necessary," said Airman 1st Class Brian A. Pavlinec, 35th Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance journeyman and avid CST volunteer. "The role I am typically in is an overseer. I communicate with the pilots and ultimately advise and guide them to their extraction point."

In order to simulate an environment conducive to surviving, evading, resisting and escaping, the CSTs take place in a densely forested area - perfect for two teams of approximately 20 people to re-create enemy lines.

"As an enemy combatant, you are armed with a replica gun, some urban camouflage and the knowledge that these pilots have killed your fellow countrymen," said Pavlinec.

The exercise, which only lasts one day in "enemy territory," actually takes weeks of preparation time beforehand, ensuring every participant and working piece is coordinated and ready to go.

"The training can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to plan and prepare for," said Allchin. "The 35th Aircrew Flight Equipment flight, 35 LRS, and the SERE team all work together allowing these CSTs to play out without discrepancy."

When survival packs are ready, medical teams on stand-by and pilots freshly ejected from their aircraft - the exercise and hunt begins, providing pilots an essential component to their training and mission.

"Our CSTs are extremely important to the mission here, mainly because of our location and our proximity to some crucial nations, we are one of the final lines of defense, should something happen," said Pavlinec. "Because pilots only get this training every few years, it is a crucial piece for their mission."

Combat survival training