Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Dixon, 35th Operations Support Squadron Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape specialist, instructs Capt. Kevin Anderson, 14th Fighter Squadron weapons officer, on ejection procedures during a SERE water survival course at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2014. Pilots are briefed on the proper way to eject and land safely after an emergency water landing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

Various survival tools are displayed in the Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape office at the 35th Operations Support Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2014. At the beginning of a SERE instruction course, pilots are briefed on how to utilize items found in a pilot’s survival kit, including water-purifying chemicals, alcohol swabs and local-area maps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

U.S. Air Force Capt. Garrett Omohundro, 14th Fighter Squadron A-Flight commander, participates in a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape water survival course at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2014. As part of SERE training, pilots are educated on emergency water-landing hazards, as well as how to survive in enemy territory. (Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

U.S. Air Force Capt. Garrett Omohundro,14th Fighter Squadron A-Flight Commander, enters the opening of a submerged parachute during a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape water survival course at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2014. The two pilots were presented with a simulated scenario to escape a parachute that had ensnared them upon landing in the water. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kevin Anderson, 14th Fighter Squadron weapons officer, engages his life raft’s storm shield during a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape water survival course at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2014. The shield offers two different functions upon inflating: It shields the raft occupant from harsh weather conditions and provides camouflage from enemy surveillance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kevin Anderson, 14th Fighter Squadron weapons officer, tows his life raft back to shore after a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape water survival course at Misawa Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2014. After a long day of briefings, in-depth instructions and parachute escaping, students are SERE certified in water survival training and are capable of surviving, evading, resisting and escaping any perilous situation presented. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone)

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Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape Misawa waters

Published July 11, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- To remain certified as a pilot, a Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape water survival training course must be completed. This course, often lasting an afternoon, involves a comprehensive classroom briefing of utilizing survival tools, surveying local-area maps and engaging in exercises such as parachute escaping, proper ejection techniques and life raft safety. With guidance from SERE instructors providing a rigorous day of academic and physical education, pilots become SERE certified and remain ready to defend the skies of the Pacific.

Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters

Pilots Survive, Evade Resist and Escape tumultuous waters