Attention is turning to the "SERE" training that elite U.S. military pilots and special operations forces receive after a U.S. officer who ejected from a fighter jet shot down by Iran was rescued in mountainous terrain in about 36 hours.
SERE training takes its name from the initials of "Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape," and is conducted under the principle that "a survivor's mission is to return with honor." It is carried out across the U.S. military in various ways, but is said to be emphasized in the Air Force, where personnel can be isolated unexpectedly behind enemy lines or in hostile environments.
David Deptula, director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, said, "Through training, pilots can survive without being captured, and even if captured, they can resist the enemy and improve the chances of rescue."
In fact, the weapons systems officer who ejected from an F-15E fighter jet shot down on the 3rd (local time) hid for about 36 hours in Iran's mountainous area despite being seriously injured, before being rescued by U.S. search personnel. If captured by Iran's military, the officer was expected to become a key bargaining chip and propaganda tool for Iran.
The first pillar of SERE is "survive," which is effectively treated as the top priority of the training. When a fighter is shot down, a pilot ejects and lands by parachute, experiencing extreme disorientation and physical and mental shock, and the training focuses on preparing immediate responses to this. The key is assessing one's injuries and determining the feasibility of concealment.
Putting personnel in a range of extreme environments from the desert to the Arctic is also part of building survival skills. Trainees practice varied survival scenarios, such as drawing drinking water from a river, making fire with branches, and substituting meals with cacti and beetles.
The second element is "evade." This proceeds in tandem with survival, with the key being to avoid detection by the enemy. A frequently cited example of successful "evasion" is Capt. Scott O'Grady during the 1995 Bosnian war, who moved at night for six days in enemy territory while eating ants and succeeded in signaling for rescue.
Jason Smith, a former U.S. Army special operations noncommissioned officer, said, "Pilots must move to the location most favorable for rescue according to a prearranged recovery plan," adding, "The key is not getting caught behind enemy lines."
The third stage, "resist," prepares for the possibility of capture. While specific training details are not public, materials the military has partially disclosed indicate that pilots learn martial-arts-style kicks, carry small arms, and train on rules of engagement consistent with the Geneva Conventions.
In particular, the theoretical basis for "resistance" was established during the Korean War, when former President Dwight Eisenhower set a standard of conduct by executive order that service members "will resist by all means available" even if captured. The so-called "code of conduct for prisoners" includes a principle prohibiting the provision of information to the enemy beyond name, rank, date of birth, and service number.
The final stage, "escape," is where rescue and return are carried out, and personnel learn how to use flares, radios, and other equipment. When the rescue helicopter approached, Capt. Scott O'Grady marked his position with a smoke signal; selecting the appropriate means to call for rescue is central to the training. Michael Salvaggio, an instructor overseeing SERE training at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington state, highlighted the importance of escape, saying, "The goal of the training is ultimately a safe return."
The officer who was recently isolated in mountainous terrain reportedly sent a radio message, "God is good," after ejecting from the aircraft while wedged between rocks. This allowed U.S. forces to capture his signal and carry out a successful rescue.