910 AFE conducts aircrew water survival training at YSU pool

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Bob Barko | Master Sgt. Zach Angel, a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist assigned to the 910th Operations Support Squadron, briefs a group of Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the squadrons of the 910th Operations Group participating in an aircrew water survival refresher training event at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Natatorium Olympic Swimming Pool, April 11, 2021. The training event, which is a tri-annual requirement for all aircrew members, was broken into several blocks including aircrew familiarization of AFE water survival accessories aboard the 910th’s C-130H Hercules tactical cargo aircraft; 20-person and single-person life raft operations; swimming techniques; a water landing parachute harness drag and release and water landing parachute disentangling techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.)  

YOUNGSTOWN, OH, UNITED STATES

04.14.2021

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Bob Barko 

910th Airlift Wing

YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY, Ohio --
A 12-person team made up of members of the Aircrew Flight Equipment shop and a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, all assigned to the 910th Operations Support Squadron based at nearby Youngstown Air Reserve Station, conducted an aircrew water survival refresher training event at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Natatorium Olympic Swimming Pool, April 11, 2021.

Master Sgt. Zach Angel, the 910th OSS SERE Specialist, said the refresher training, conducted this year for 34 Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the squadrons of the 910th Operations Group, is a triennial requirement for all aircrew members.

The training event was broken into several blocks including aircrew familiarization of AFE water survival accessories aboard the 910th’s C-130H Hercules tactical cargo aircraft; 20-person and single-person life raft operations; swimming techniques; a water landing parachute harness drag and release and water landing parachute disentangling techniques.

Angel said if YSU had not allowed use of their pool, the training would not have been able to be conducted this year with other local facilities being closed due to COVID-19. He said this would have negatively affected the wing’s combat readiness.

“If we don’t get the training done, our aircrews aren’t deployable and require waivers,” Angel said. “It’s a real pain, if we can’t get this training done, for the amount of people we have.”

YSU President Jim Tressel attended the training event and said it was another example of the collaborative spirit between the 910th and YSU.

“The impact both (the 910th and YSU) make in our region (is significant). Without either, I’m not sure what this region would be all about, so we’ve got to make sure we support the people who are making a huge impact…” Tressel said. “People are proud (the 910th) is here, proud YSU is here… So, anything we can do to be together like being here at the Beeghly Natatorium for water survival or when we are out at the (YARS) shooting range with our Police Academy, we love collaborating.”

• Date Taken: 04.14.2021
• Date Posted: 06.22.2021 13:46
• Story ID: 398389
• Location: YOUNGSTOWN, OH, US