Survival Training
Team Selfridge’s flight crew members from the 171st Air Refueling Squadron and the 107th Fighter Squadron participated in training operation Patriot Sands. Patriot Sands provides crew members with realistic training for undergoing emergency situations. The training was broken up into two parts, combat survival which is land based and water survival. This training took course over two days and was located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida on May 13 and 14, 2016. Flight crews were given instruction on signal mirrors, proper use of flares, bowline knots, how to start a fire and anything they would need to know to survive after a crash. With support from the United States Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue unit based out of Mobile, Alabama, pilots and crew members were able to experience swimming out to and being hoisted up by a rescue helicopter. “We wanted to create a realistic training environment that was safe and controlled,” said Master Sgt. Earl Anzano, 171st ARS, lead training instructor. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the Coast Guard and the Navy.” Selfridge crews complete this training every 24 months, allowing them to act more efficiently if a real life emergency arises. More than 100 Airmen from Selfridge Air National Guard Base were involved in Patriot Sands. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Ryan Zeski)