Air FORCE COMBAT DIVE SCHOOL
Panama city, FL - 8 weeks
The Air Force Combat Dive Course is an intensive 8-week program designed to transform students into certified Special Operations Command (SOCOM) combatant divers. Through both open and closed-circuit self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) training, students acquire fundamental and advanced rescue diving principles, as well as combat diving techniques. These skills enable covert infiltration into areas that are otherwise inaccessible. The course rigorously trains participants to reach depths of 130 feet, placing emphasis on maximum underwater mobility under varying circumstances.
At the Air Force Dive School, the curriculum is split into two separate courses: the open and closed circuit. Students will seamlessly undertake both curriculums, without any interruption in their instruction.
Open Circuit: 5 weeks
Closed Circuit: 3 weeks
Total Course Length: 8 weeks
Location: Naval Support Activity, Panama City, FL
Who goes to this course: PJ, SR, CCT and officer equivalent Pipeline Candidates
At the Air Force Dive School, the curriculum is split into two separate courses: the open and closed circuit. Students will seamlessly undertake both curriculums, without any interruption in their instruction.
Open Circuit: 5 weeks
Closed Circuit: 3 weeks
Total Course Length: 8 weeks
Location: Naval Support Activity, Panama City, FL
Who goes to this course: PJ, SR, CCT and officer equivalent Pipeline Candidates
Airborne school
Ft. benning, Ga - 3 weeks
Ground Training (Week 1)
Ground training week involves an extensive program to develop individual skills required to make a safe parachute jump. You'll be trained on the mock door, the 34 foot tower, and the lateral drift apparatus (LDA). First up is qualification on the 34 foot tower and LDA, followed by meeting all PT requirements to start tower training week.
Tower Training (Week 2)
During tower week, individual skills acquired from the first week are refined while a "mass exit" team-based approach is introduced to the training regime. Essential apparatus, including the swing lander trainer (SLT), suspended harness (SH), 250-foot free tower, and wind machine, are used to carry out this comprehensive training. With the conclusion of week two, participants have completed individual skill training and honed their team effort skills. However, to advance to the jump training week, one must qualify on the mass exit procedures, the SLT, and pass all physical training requirements.
Jump Training (Week 3)
This is the moment you've been waiting for! After weeks of rigorous training, you are now ready to take on the most exhilarating part - week three. To enter this phase, you must prove that you're willing to jump. So gear up! This week is dedicated to your five qualifying jumps, preceded by a thorough review of malfunctions and aircraft orientation. But that's not all - you'll also get a chance to interact with your fellow jumpers and be organized and manifested for the big moment.
If the weather permits, Friday will be the day of your graduation at the Airborne Walk. Don't forget to invite your friends and family to join you at Fryer Field where they can witness the jumps and take part in the wing-awarding ceremony. On the final day, you'll go through the out-process with your company in the morning, followed by the sweet taste of success at graduation.
Ground training week involves an extensive program to develop individual skills required to make a safe parachute jump. You'll be trained on the mock door, the 34 foot tower, and the lateral drift apparatus (LDA). First up is qualification on the 34 foot tower and LDA, followed by meeting all PT requirements to start tower training week.
Tower Training (Week 2)
During tower week, individual skills acquired from the first week are refined while a "mass exit" team-based approach is introduced to the training regime. Essential apparatus, including the swing lander trainer (SLT), suspended harness (SH), 250-foot free tower, and wind machine, are used to carry out this comprehensive training. With the conclusion of week two, participants have completed individual skill training and honed their team effort skills. However, to advance to the jump training week, one must qualify on the mass exit procedures, the SLT, and pass all physical training requirements.
Jump Training (Week 3)
This is the moment you've been waiting for! After weeks of rigorous training, you are now ready to take on the most exhilarating part - week three. To enter this phase, you must prove that you're willing to jump. So gear up! This week is dedicated to your five qualifying jumps, preceded by a thorough review of malfunctions and aircraft orientation. But that's not all - you'll also get a chance to interact with your fellow jumpers and be organized and manifested for the big moment.
If the weather permits, Friday will be the day of your graduation at the Airborne Walk. Don't forget to invite your friends and family to join you at Fryer Field where they can witness the jumps and take part in the wing-awarding ceremony. On the final day, you'll go through the out-process with your company in the morning, followed by the sweet taste of success at graduation.
Underwater Egress Training
Fairchild AFB, WA -1 day
This training rigorously prepares you for potential emergencies during over-water flights. It utilizes a Navy-developed device, known as a "dunker", that mimics a helicopter sinking and rolling in water. The dunker sports a cockpit for two and a passenger area for four, complete with windows, giving you an authentic crash simulation.
Equipped in full flight gear, including suits, boots, gloves, vests, and helmets, the training's two phases with multiple scenarios ensure your readiness in case of a real event. The first phase of the training focuses on escape procedures after a helicopter water crash, utilizing the Helicopter Emergency Egress Device System (HEEDS) to facilitate breathing underwater for short periods..
This training rigorously prepares you for potential emergencies during over-water flights. It utilizes a Navy-developed device, known as a "dunker", that mimics a helicopter sinking and rolling in water. The dunker sports a cockpit for two and a passenger area for four, complete with windows, giving you an authentic crash simulation.
Equipped in full flight gear, including suits, boots, gloves, vests, and helmets, the training's two phases with multiple scenarios ensure your readiness in case of a real event. The first phase of the training focuses on escape procedures after a helicopter water crash, utilizing the Helicopter Emergency Egress Device System (HEEDS) to facilitate breathing underwater for short periods..
The dunker training is a serious and crucial part of the preparation for dealing with emergencies during flight as it teaches trainees how to react in different scenarios. The training consists of learning how to escape through the exit of the aircraft when it lands in water, and this includes four different dunks.
During the first stage, the device drops straight down, and on impact with the water, everyone simulates breaking out the nearest window. As the device sinks, you're expected to have one hand on the lap belt release and the other on a reference point to help them escape. The goal is to exit the device when the trainee is about five feet in the water.
In the next dunk, the device rolls over after hitting the water and the trainees are taught not to try to release their lap belts or escape during this period, which would usually last for about 10 seconds. Trainees would find themselves upside down and disoriented, at which time they would need to begin their escape attempt.
There are four scenarios during the sink-and-roll portion of the training. For example, in the first scenario, trainees escape through the nearest exit, whereas in the second scenario, trainees all escape through a single exit-many struggle with this method.
The HEEDS bottle is used during the next day's training, which allows for underwater breathing for two to four minutes at a depth of 20 feet. The training also consists of four scenarios, with the first scenario teaching trainees how to release their lap belts and exit the device correctly.
The ability to survive a water crash can be the difference between life and death for future operators and their crew. That's why training scenarios like the one described here are so important.
The first scenario involves students putting HEEDS bottles in their mouths before being dunked and then swimming to the exit after normal breathing is established.
In the second scenario, trainees have to swim to the exit immediately after being dunked. An instructor then simulates being caught on an object, and the trainee has to use the HEEDS bottle successfully to be released.
The third and final scenario is undoubtedly the most challenging. Trainees use HEEDS bottles while still strapped to their seats and upside down after being dunked. But again, after normal breathing is established, the students release their lap belts and swim for the exit.
By incorporating this type of training, AFSPECWAR Candidates and their crew can increase their chances of survival should an emergency touchdown on water occur.
Air Force Survival School
Fairchild AFB, WA -2.5 weeks
The goal of Combat Survival Training (CST) is to equip aircrews and designated personnel with vital procedures, techniques, and survival principles. Every Air Force officer and enlisted member deserves exceptional training to fulfill their operational duties. Therefore, the 336th Training Group is steadfast in providing CST to prepare aircrew members for all types of environments, be it friendly or unfriendly, and surviving any eventualities of flight.
Given the sensitive nature of the training, signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement is required. Divulging any information about the training to people outside the classroom or the lab is deemed illegal and will be punished as per U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 798. To maintain confidentiality, avoid discussing real-world information in the lab.
Given the sensitive nature of the training, signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement is required. Divulging any information about the training to people outside the classroom or the lab is deemed illegal and will be punished as per U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 798. To maintain confidentiality, avoid discussing real-world information in the lab.
Military Freefall School (HALO) - 4 weeks
Yuma proving Ground, AZ - 4 weeks
PURPOSE: TO TRAIN SELECTED SOF, DOD AND FOREIGN PERSONNEL AS MILITARY FREE-FALL PARACHUTISTS
SCOPE: MILITARY FREE-FALL SKILLS , (DAY/NIGHT) HALO/HAHO OPERATIONS
Objectives of the course:
The primary goal of this program is to develop qualified military free-fall parachutists. Participants will be trained in a wide range of skills, including military free-fall parachute ground procedures, body stabilization techniques (using a vertical wind tunnel), basic and advanced aircraft procedures, handling of combat equipment (rucksack and weapon), individual and mass exits, grouping exercises, night airborne operations, as well as the proper use of life-support equipment like oxygen masks, bottles, and procedures for high-altitude airborne operations. This training is designed to be engaging, rigorous, and challenging - ensuring that graduates are among the best-prepared military free-fall parachutists in the world.
Week One
During week one, you'll be put through your paces starting with the usual, yet vital, components of your journey, such as in-processing, weigh-ins, equipment issue and more. Once you're all kitted out, assigned to an instructor and paired with a jump buddy similar to your height and weight, the real challenge begins. You'll receive in-depth training on the ram-air parachute's mechanisms, emergency and rigging procedures, repack procedures along with learning how to fall correctly with poise and stability. Not only will you practice with table drills, but you'll also get to hang in harnesses and learn about crucial emergency processes such as malfunctions, cutaways, and entanglements. To top it off, you'll master jump commands, and the oxygen system, before you get to the exciting part; simulated freefalling in a wind tunnel. Boasting a huge fan, reaching speeds up to 150mph, get ready to engage all your senses as you fine-tune your body position and go through all the EP's with ease.
Weeks two through four
This training regimen is the real deal. It's all about jumping - and we mean a LOT of it! From firing out of the plane at 10000ft with no gear, to fully kitted out at 25000ft, it's a masterclass in staying stable, pulling at the right altitude, and touching down within 25m of your group leader. And when the conditions are right, you get to try your hand at some real heart-pounding jumps, like the High Altitude High Opening variety where you exit at 13000ft, deploy your chute 5 seconds later, then glide 5-10 kilometers (or even more if the wind's up) to your target. And that's just the start. Once you pass graduation, you'll trade in your gear for a diploma and some hard-earned bragging rights at the class party. It might be a serious school, but it's definitely serious fun.