SERE training coming to Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  A Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape refresher course is coming February to Tyndall.

The SERE course teaches pilots and service members who are at high risk of capture, the skills to survive, evade, resist and escape while upholding the code of conduct.

"The main goal of SERE at Tyndall is to ensure pilots assigned here stay current in all aspects of SERE," said Staff Sgt. Brett Steinbrink, 325th Operation Support Squadron NCO in charge SERE operations.

The course will be conducted for members of the 325th Fighter Wing, 337th Air Control Squadron and 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group who need SERE training, Steinbrink said.

"The aircrew trained will be prepared for any SERE situation they may encounter," said Lt. Col. Joe Granducci, 325th Training Support Squadron assistant director of operations. "Periodic training in SERE allows trainees to get the latest information, tactics and techniques and also refreshes their initial SERE training."

The re-opened 95th Fighter Squadron's members will be the primary participants, as they require additional training to stay current in combat survival techniques, Steinbrink said.

"SERE training ensures that, should they have to eject, they are fully prepared to survive, evade, resist and escape from any situation and environment," Steinbrink said. "Ultimately, ensuring that the pilots return home to their families."

Various courses will be offered for SERE training, said Steinbrink.

Some of the courses are water survival, combat land survival, emergency parachute training and pre-deployment training all ranging from one hour to more than 18 hours in length, Steinbrink said.

"I believe the localized SERE training will be a spectacular opportunity for Tyndall personnel," said 1st Lt. Harry Williams, 43rd Fighter Squadron pilot. "With a deployable squadron now stationed at Tyndall, the SERE mission becomes more relevant."