Pilots evade capture through SERE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Thompson, 35th Operations Support Squadron opposing forces member, checks his map to determine his location during Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training for pilots at the Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 12, 2015. Thompson was part of a two-man team of opposing forces whose objective was to capture downed pilots in an open forest area. A total of 14 two-man teams spread out throughout the Draughon Range in search of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo)

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Pilots evade capture through SERE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bobby Chanthaphouvong and James Thompson, 35th Operations Support Squadron opposing forces members, halt their pursuit of a downed pilot to listen for any signs of distress during Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training for pilots at the Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 12, 2015. As members of opposing forces, Chanthaphouvong and Thompson were tasked with tracking downed pilots and capturing them for mock interrogation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo)

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Dye patrols for pilots

Matthew Dye, 14th Fighter Squadron opposing forces member, patrols dense forest in search of downed pilots during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape exercise Feb. 12, 2015, at Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan. Each month, Misawa's F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots use this traiing to gain realisitic experience in evading enemy capture if their aircraft were to go down in hostile territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn)

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Pilots evade capture through SERE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Thompson, 35th Operations Support Squadron opposing forces member, searches down range for a downed pilot during Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training for pilots at the Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 12, 2015. Thompson served as an opposing forces member charged with tracking down and finding pilots. This training was executed for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots who must continually complete SERE training to ensure combat survival readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo)

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SERE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Thompson, 35th Operations Support Squadron opposing forces member, radios in his status while in pursuit of a downed pilot during Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training for pilots at the Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 12, 2015. As an opposing forces member, Thompson periodically checked in with his team members to relay any important information that could lead to the capture of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez-Domitilo)

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Dye and Dixon strike paydirt

Matthew Dye, left, with the help of Staff Sgt. Terrance Dixon, 14th Fighter Squadron opposing forces members, captures Capt. Christopher Hartman, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape exercise Feb. 12, 2015, at Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan. Dye and Dixon were the first team of two to capture a pilot, who worked to evade enemy capture after simulated ejections into enemy territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn)

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Hartman is tied

The hands of Capt. Christopher Hartman, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, are tied by a simulated enemy combatant during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape exercise Feb. 12, 2015, at Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan. Hartman's plane was simulated as downed in enemy territory, where he avoided enemy capture for nearly three hours. Following capture, pilots face a lengthy interrogation process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn)

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Hartman is detained by enemy combatants

Capt. Christopher Hartman, 13th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, is detained by simulated opposing forces during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape exercise Feb. 12, 2015, at Draughon Range outside Misawa Air Base, Japan. Pilots execute monthly SERE exercises and simulate being downed in enemy territory where they must avoid enemy capture. Teams of two serving as opposing forces spend the day tracking pilots through the woods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn)

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Pilots evade capture through SERE operation

Published Feb. 13, 2015
By 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Misawa Air Base, Japan -- Each month, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 35th Fighter Wing participate in a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape exercise where their aircraft is simulated as downed in enemy territory, forcing them to do whatever it takes to avoid capture. On Feb. 12, 2015, 14 teams of two assimilated as opposing forces and spent the day tracking and chasing pilots through the woods at Draughon Range outside of Misawa Air Base, Japan.

Pilots evade capture through SERE

Pilots evade capture through SERE

Dye patrols for pilots

Pilots evade capture through SERE

SERE

Dye and Dixon strike paydirt

Hartman is tied

Hartman is detained by enemy combatants