Off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, an Air Force drillmaster aboard a maritime training ship ordered an instructor to jump overboard to free-fall 4 meters into the sea.
The drillmaster, part of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape, Recovery (SERER) unit, specializes in maritime survival training for air personnel in the event of emergency aircraft escapes.
Upon the command, the instructor plunged into the waters, connected to the vessel by two cables, simulating the experience of being dragged by a parachute caught in winds after entering the water.
Waves splashed over the instructor’s face as the ship pulled him through the sea. When the drill master finally shouted “release,” the instructor quickly unbuckled the cables.
The Air Force gave a group of reporters access to the training in waters around Namhae County, 313 kilometers south of Seoul, on Wednesday, offering a glimpse into the unit’s two-week basic program designed to ensure aircrew survive if they become stranded at sea.
South
Korea is surrounded by waters on all sides, except for its border with North Korea, making maritime survival training crucial for pilots, who require years of training and investment to produce.
“The exercise prepares for emergency situations and to maximize the survival capabilities of our pilots who are valuable assets,” Lt. Col. Oh Hyeong-mo, a commander of the unit overseeing the instructors, said.
Multiple fighter jets have crashed in waters around the peninsula in recent years.
In December, a U.S. Forces Korea F-16 fighter jet crashed into the Yellow Sea, followed by another F-16 crash into the sea the next month. Both pilots of the single-seat aircraft safely ejected and were rescued from the frigid winter waters.
On Wednesday, the waters off the southern coast were better suited for training as temperatures exceeded 20 C, putting the average time of survival at over 12 hours, according to the Air Force.
In contrast, those stranded in waters at minus 2 to plus 2 C can typically survive for only 45
minutes.
The conditions, however, remained difficult when reporters were given the chance to experience the training.
Even with the ship moving at four knots (2 meters per second) — half the training’s usual speed — most reporters struggled to keep their heads up as water gushed into their mouths and nostrils.
Apart from parachute drag training, reporters participated in open-water survival training, huddling together as they waited to be rescued by helicopter and boat.
Instructors stressed the need to stick together to prevent rescue operations from becoming drawn out.
They also demonstrated parasailing training to practice safely parachuting into the sea.
The training initially appeared similar to recreational parasailing as an instructor floated gently across the sky attached to a boat, reaching a height of 70 meters above the surface.
But at the drillmaster’s command, the instructor detached the single cord connecting her to the boat to release herself and descend into the waters.
The demonstrat
ions took place as South Korea has recently pushed to bolster its air combat capabilities, adopting advanced F-35 stealth fighters and making efforts to develop the homegrown KF-21 supersonic fighter.
In line with such efforts, the Air Force has placed strong emphasis on air personnel training to better maintain readiness.
As part of the basic two-week course, SERER specialists also train troops on land for various survival skills in remote locations, such as finding food and guiding helicopters for rescue.
They also train more than 1,400 service members annually in a five-day survival training program, which is required for air personnel every 4 1/2 years.
“Air personnel can face disaster situations at any time,” SM. Sgt. Kim Ki-hwan, one of the instructors, said. “Through realistic training, we make sure those stranded can return home alive.”
As of 2022, the Air Force operated more than 700 aircraft, including over 400 fighter jets, according to the Defense White Paper.
Source: Yonhap News Agency