The Capital Guardian - Spring 2011

NEWS BRIEFS ... NEWS BRIEFS ... NEWS BRIEFS
By Maj. Michael Croker and
Senior Master Sgt. David Callaghan
113th Operations Group
Members of the Aircrew Flight Equipment section of
the 121st Fighter Squadron and the 113th Operations
Group participated in an off-site Combat Survival
Refresher Training on Feb. 12. The training was a joint
effort of participants from the DC Army National Guard
and 113th Intel, Security Forces, Aircrew Flight Equipment
and Operations Support elements.
The training was composed of classroom training
followed by a four-hour field exercise.
CST is just one of the recurring training requirements
for pilots following their initial Survival Evasion
Resistance and Escape qualification. Additionally, the
training is vital to the unit’s preparation for future Air
Expeditionary Force Deployments.
The pilots participated in various field training events
including donning camouflaged face paint, employing flares,
practicing evasion and survival tactics and initiating personnel
recovery.
Pilots also practiced communication techniques with
indigenous personnel, i.e. local sympathizers, as well as with
helicopter rescue forces in order to coordinate recovery.
After a successful recovery, the pilots were then flown to
The 121st Fighter Squadron and 113th Operations
Group members learn survival techniques including
use of survival radios and signaling devices during
their Combat Survival Refresher Training.
121st Fighter Squadron provides combat
survival training
the Joint Base Andrews flight line where they were back in a
“safe zone” within friendly territory.
The training session also served as an opportunity for
AFE trainers to be certified by a National Guard Bureau survival
instructor. Master Sgt. Sheron Mason, 121 FS, AFE NCO,
was certified by NGB SERE Functional Area Manager as a
qualified CST instructor.
Spring 2011 / CAPITAL GUARDIAN • 17
Photos: Maj. Michael Croker and
Senior Master Sgt. David Callaghan