Photo By Senior Airman Damara Burrell | U.S. Airmen assigned to the 183rd Airlift Squadron sit inside a life raft during...... read more read more
Aircrew members assigned to 172nd Airlift Wing, Mississippi Air National Guard, sharpened various life-saving skills during training courses held in Key West, Florida as part of their annual training. This comprehensive training event aimed to ensure mission readiness and enhance confidence in participants during emergency situations over open water.
Led by aircrew flight equipment specialists, the water survival training focused on aircraft egress techniques, water survival procedures, and life raft operations in the event of a water landing or crash. Participants utilized adult and child life preservers, engaging in realistic simulations that required swimming to safety and coordinating rescue efforts with fellow aircrew.
“The exercise is designed to be as close to a real-world situation as possible,” said Master Sgt. Taronecia Graves, an AFE technician with the 172nd Operations Support Squadron, 172nd AW. “Not only do we need them to understand the procedures, but it’s a matter of feeling confident to execute said procedures under pressure.”
One of the highlights of the course included practicing survival scenarios while wearing gear that becomes heavy when wet, testing endurance, teamwork, and individual resilience. The physically demanding nature of the training not only builds muscle memory in participants, but also reinforces confidence in their ability to perform.
“Water survival is essential because if an aircrew goes down in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, they could be out there for two to three weeks before being found,” said Tech. Sgt. Jacob McLendon, a lead AFE instructor with the 172nd OSS. “Our goal is to give them the best chance at survival by building their confidence and refreshing those critical hands-on skills. We may not be able to fully simulate that kind of environment, but we can prepare them to endure it.”
In addition to the field training in Key West, a simulated aircraft Fleet Launch Under Severe Hazards (FLUSH) training was completed at the unit’s home station in Jackson, Mississippi.
This FLUSH simulation offered pilots a controlled environment to rehearse rapid shutdown procedures and emergency protocols. In these scenarios, pilots practiced responding to fuel leaks, engine failures, or other aircraft malfunctions that demand immediate action. This training emphasized precise coordination and quick decision-making under pressure, ensuring pilots are ready to manage inflight emergencies effectively.
“FLUSH training gives our pilots the muscle memory they need to react fast and stay safe,” said Capt. Austin Cole, a pilot from the 183rd Airlift Squadron, 172nd AW. “It’s definitely not something you want to experience for the first time in a real emergency.”
Both training courses contribute directly to the Air Force’s focus on producing mission-ready Airmen, prepared for dynamic environments both in the air and on the ground. Combining real-world physical challenges with technical simulations ensures service members maintain operational readiness across multiple domains.
“Exercises like these contribute to our unit cohesion and team trust,” said Graves. “When personnel are confident in learning how to survive in duress, they’re more confident in their ability to survive and help their wingmen. We want our aircrew to be confident in themselves, their aircrew flight equipment, and their ability to survive.”
“These exercises set rank aside,” said Senior Airman Brianna Cedillo, a loadmaster from the 183rd AS. “It has you really focus as a team because lives depend on it.”
As the Air Force continues to prioritize multi-domain readiness and joint-force capability, such realistic and adaptive training opportunities are crucial to operational success. These exercises ensure that Airmen return to their units not only qualified but confident—ready to respond when the mission demands it.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2025 08:28 |
| Story ID: | 500014 |
| Location: | MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Aircrew Boost Readiness with Water Survival and FLUSH Training, by SrA Damara Burrell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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