Air Force guardian angel Published June 16, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- For many people it is regarded as a nightmare scenario - a B-1B Lancer has crashed behind enemy lines, the pilot and crew are left to survive until a rescue operation can be mounted. While the potential of this scenario exists as a very real danger for B-1 crews, they are given special training by Airmen whose primary duty is to ensure the pilot and crew have the necessary skills needed to survive in any environment. "When I'm at Ellsworth I teach my customer to live off the land in any environment," said Senior Airman Zachary Yoakam, 28th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist. "We build upon that [training] by adding additional skill sets - such as evading capture from any group: military, civilian or insurgent." Airman Yoakam said the mission of every Airman, if captured, is to escape and aid others to escape. He teaches his students to do that through a variety of exercises and combat training scenarios. "Should the worst happen, and that individual gets captured, I will have already taught them to resist interrogation and torture," he said. Airman Yoakam hopes the lesson Airmen remember most vividly from his instruction is the one pertaining to the six articles of the Code of Conduct, which exists as a mandate for personal conduct of American servicemembers throughout the world. "No matter what happens," Airman Yoakam said. "If an Airman follows the Code of Conduct then they can return home with honor." One of Airman Yoakam's favorite parts of his job is having the knowledge of his role in the mission. "Should an Airman be captured, I've given them the skill set which allows them to take the fight to the enemy from captivity, which is huge," he said. In order to meet the challenge of training Airmen to survive in any environment, Airman Yoakam had to endure a pre-qualification test as a six-month technical school. According to the Official SERE website, www.gosere.com, all applicants are required to complete a physical aptitude stamina test before gaining entry into their chosen career field. The PAST test consists of the following requirements: · 200-meter surface swim: While there is no time limit for this part of the test, if an applicant stops at any time during the swim the entire test will be stopped and counted as a failure. · 1.5 mile run: As with the swimming portion of the test, if the applicant stops at any time during this timed run, the entire test is failed. The maximum time for this run, in order to pass is 11 minutes, 30 seconds. · Calisthenics: There are three calisthenics exercises evaluated during this portion of the test. The objective is for the applicant to do as many repetitions as possible during the assigned time limit, while maintaining the proper form. · Chin-ups: The applicant is required to complete a minimum of six chin-ups within a minute. As with the other portions of the PAST test, proper form is essential. If the applicant falls off the bar, stops or releases from the bar the exercise is terminated. They are also required to exercise until muscle failure or time completion. · Sit-ups: The completion of a minimum of 50 sit-ups within three minutes is required to pass this portion of the test. If an applicant rests, the exercise is terminated. As with the chin-ups, they must exercise until muscle failure or time completion. · Pushups: The final portion of the PAST test is the completion of a minimum of 42 pushups within three minutes. If proper form is not observed, then the repetition is not counted. If an applicant raises their hand or foot then the exercise is terminated. Even after obtaining the minimum requirement, they must continue to exercise until muscle failure or time completion. Even after an applicant successfully completes the PAST test they still have to pass a six-month technical school at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. During their training, potential SERE specialists will learn SERE skills, personnel recovery and instructor skills. The SERE website explains that the training is designed to prepare "future SERE specialists to instruct any Air Force SERE related program and be world-wide deployable." After completing all the challenges of the PAST test and technical school, Airman Yoakam encourages interested applicants to brave the challenges and never give up. "You'll be told you can't do it and you're not good enough," he said. "You'll be told 98 percent of the applicants don't graduate and even a portion of the remaining two percent don't complete on-the-job training. You'll be pushed to your limits then asked to operate from there. My advice is don't quit and help everyone as if their lives depended on it - because, in reality, their lives do depend on your best effort."