By Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published April 12, 2018
U.S. Air Force Capt. Dan Milton, a pilot assigned to the 393d Bomb Squadron, goes through harness pull training at the University of Central Missouri’s pool April 5, 2018. During a water survival class, pilots must be trained on a harness pull to simulate being pulled under water by their parachute. Pilots must quickly pull the latches on the harness and detach from the parachute to avoid injury. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)
Pilots assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., conduct a harness pull for one of the trainees during a water survival training at the University of Central Missouri’s pool April 5, 2018. The under-water harness pull is one of the several exercises pilots go through to ensure they’re prepared in the event they eject into water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)
U.S. Air Force pilots assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., go through a water survival class at the University of Central Missouri’s pool April 5, 2018. Pilots are trained on various possibilities they could face if they land in water after ejecting from an aircraft like being trapped under the parachute or being pulled by the parachute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sergio Avalos, a survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist assigned to the 509th Operations Support Squadron, conducts a water survival class for Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., pilots at the University of Central Missouri’s pool April 5, 2018. Pilots must go through a water survival class every few years to ensure they are prepared in the event they land in a body of water after ejecting from an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Roberson, operations flight commander assigned to the 509th Operations Support Squadron, signals to be lifted out of the water at the University of Central Missouri’s pool April 5, 2018. Correctly securing themselves and showing the correct hand signals is an essential part in being safely helicopter lifted out of water. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)