Stay alive, evade capture: 480th FS pilots conduct Combat Survival Training

Published Aug. 23, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Albert Morel
52nd Fighter Wing

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --

Pilots assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron participated in Combat Survival Training (CST) led by 52nd Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) specialists at Spangdahlem Air Base, Aug. 22, 2024.

CST aims to instill confidence in aircrew members and ensure their ability to evade capture and facilitate their rescue in the event of being isolated in contested territory.

“Training like this is important because the SERE skills and knowledge that the pilots have don't get used on a day-to-day basis,” said Staff Sgt. Samuel Magura, 52nd OSS SERE noncommissioned officer in charge of operations and training. “It's an opportunity for them to rehone what they already know about SERE, sharpen those skills and practice them in case they face isolation anywhere in the world.”

A male and female U.S. Air Force pilot wearing combat vests hold radios and walk through the woods. — U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron attempt to evade capture during Combat Survival Training at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. During this portion of the training, the pilots simulated ejecting over an austere location and having to evade search teams to get to designated evacuation locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

U.S. Air Force pilots wearing combat vests and face paint face towards and listen to a U.S. Air Force Airmen wearing civilian clothes by a white truck in a woods clearing. — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Samuel Magura, 52nd Operations Support Squadron, Survival Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) noncommissioned officer in charge of operations and training, gives a mission brief to F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron during a Combat Survival Training scenario at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. During the training, the pilots simulated ejecting over hostile territory and evacuating to designated rescue points while evading search teams. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

A U.S. Air Force pilot wearing a camouflage hat and face paint and a combat vest takes a knee and looks around in the woods. — U.S. Air Force Maj. Christopher Boulanger, 480th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, scans for capture teams during Combat Survival Training (CST) at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. CST aims to instill confidence in pilots, ensuring that they could effectively apply the skills and knowledge acquired both in and out of the classroom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

The day-long training consisted of an academic portion in the morning and a field exercise in the afternoon and evening, including equipment familiarization with a Combat Survivor/Evader Locator radio (CSEL). CSELs enable friendly forces to locate isolated personnel, communicate with rescue teams and navigate to and from specific points to afford a faster opportunity for rescue.

The German team also employed a drone that offered the search team a bird's eye view of the area and enhanced their capabilities with infrared vision.

While in the field, the trainees simulated ejecting from their aircraft into an austere location and were challenged to avoid search teams while they traveled to evacuation checkpoints.

A man stands in front of vehicles on a wooded road and holds a controller as he watches a drone hover a few feet off of the road in front and a few feet away from him. — Sebastian Bauer, Trier Fire Department search and rescue (SAR) drone operator launches a SAR drone during Combat Survival Training at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. This drone offered the search team a bird's eye view of the area and enhanced their capabilities with infrared vision. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

A U.S. Air Force pilot wearing a combat vest and camouflage face and hand paint looks a radio he's holding. — U.S. Air Force Capt. Domenick Stumpo, 480th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, configures a Combat Survivor/Evader Locator radio (CSEL), during a Combat Survival Training scenario at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. CSELs enable friendly forces to locate isolated personnel, communicate with rescue teams and navigate to and from specific points to afford a faster opportunity for rescue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

A civilian and two U.S. Air Force Airmen sit behind a car and look a remote controller and a monitor. — Sebastian Bauer, Trier Fire Department search and rescue (SAR) drone operator and Airmen assigned to the 52nd Operations Support Squadron operate a SAR drone during Combat Survival Training at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. While Bauer piloted the drone, the 52nd OSS Airmen used a separate monitor to view what was going on below. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

“I was truly impressed with how swift and efficient the German search and rescue teams acted,” said Maj. Garret Wilson, 480th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. “I will admit, my favorite part of these exercises is getting a first hand look at how our partners operate.”

Throughout the training, members of the 52nd Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog teams collaborated closely with local Polizei forces and the Trier, Germany search and rescue unit to locate the pilots, further strengthening their interoperability for potential future emergencies.

“This CST was different from previous ones because we're taking more modern, contemporary lessons learned,” said Magura. “We also just had a wider breadth of supporting agencies, such as our German counterparts, which was great.”

A U.S. Air Force military working dog handler walks his dog on a leash down a wooded path. — U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Harvey Rimareyae, 52nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD) handler, and MWD Brandy searches for pilots evading capture during Combat Survival Training at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. Five MWD teams played a role during this training where they were tasked with locating pilots before they reached designated areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

A military working dog handler in tan overalls holds a leash and watches his dog as the dog stares through the woods. — U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ogilvie Courtney, 52nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog (MWD) handler, and MWD Catalina search for pilots trying to evade capture during a Combat Survival Training at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. During the training, MWD teams were tasked with locating pilots before they reached designated areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

A panting military working dog on a leash standing in low bushes stares to the left of the frame. — U.S. Air Force military working dog (MWD) Catalina, assigned to the 52nd Security Forces Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, searches for pilots evading capture during Combat Survival Training at Spangdahlem, Germany, Aug. 22, 2024. MWD’s such as Catalina are trained to perform search and rescue missions as well as narcotics and explosives detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Albert Morel)

News Search