908th SERE specialist teaches Water Survival

Water Survival

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesse Liethen, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape specialist with the 908th Operations Support Squadron, explains and demonstrates the Helicopter Emergency Egress Device System bottle during a SERE water training event at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025. The HEEDS bottle is a compact, self-contained breathing system designed to provide critical air supply during emergencies, such as escaping a submerged helicopter. Augmentees in attendance learned how to deploy, clear, and breathe from the HEEDS bottle, while focusing on proper breathing techniques to maximize available air. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Details Download
Water Survival

U.S. Air Force Reservists with the 908th Flying Training Wing sit poolside for a briefing during a Shallow Water Egress Trainer event at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025. As selected Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Augmentees, they will receive a varied and comprehensive understanding of MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter water survival procedures to ensure the safety and preparedness of aircrew members during potential real-world emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Details Download
Water Survival

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesse Liethen, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape specialist with the 908th Operations Support Squadron, comes up for air after demonstrating how to use a Helicopter Emergency Egress Device System bottle during a Shallow Water Egress Trainer event at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025. Recognizing that air supply is critical in a potentially submerged helicopter, the training emphasizes the use of HEEDS bottles and how to activate them underwater in case of needed deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Details Download
Water Survival

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Cowart, special mission aviator with the 703rd Helicopter Squadron, floats in a pool next to a dunker chair during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training event at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025. This multi-faceted training ensures SERE Augmentees are well-prepared to assist in MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter water survival procedures. By combining practical skills with theoretical knowledge, the training significantly increases the chances of survival for aircrew in the event of a real-world water landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Details Download
Water Survival

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesse Liethen, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape specialist with the 908th Operations Support Squadron, is pulled from the water after being submerged in a dunker chair during a SERE water survival training event at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025. Liethen demonstrated the ins-and-outs of the chair, including how to recognize and manage any disorientation in aircrew members to help them regain composure and execute escape procedures effectively. This critical training enhances survivability and confidence in potential over-water emergency scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Details Download
Water Survival

U.S. Air Force Reserve members from the 908th Flying Training Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, get a hands-on demonstration of the dunker chair during a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training event at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025. This multi-faceted training ensures SERE Augmentees are well-prepared to assist in MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter water survival training. By combining practical skills with theoretical knowledge, the training significantly increases the chances of survival for the aircrew in the event of a real-world water landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)

Details Download

908th Flying Training Wing Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape augmentees learn how to use a dunker chair, and a Helicopter Emergency Egress Device System bottle during a water survival training event taught by 908th Operations Support Squadron, SERE Specialist, Tech. Sgt. Jesse Liethen, at the East Branch YMCA, in Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 27, 2025.

The purpose of the training is three-fold; overcoming the potential fear and shock of a water landing for aircrew members, instilling confidence in their ability to escape from a downed aircraft in water, and teaching essential survival skills like underwater egress, orientation, and self-rescue techniques.

News Search

Water Survival

Water Survival

Water Survival

Water Survival

Water Survival

Water Survival

Public Affairs Staff