When American military pilots’ aircraft are shot down, they are trained in several ways to protect themselves, the most important of which is Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE). Currently, the US Army is searching for a crew member of the F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down in Iran. The other crew member might be trying to hide in a safe place until he can be safely rescued.
Such fighter jets usually have 2 people, a pilot and a weapons systems officer. Both crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle had ejected. According to American and Israeli officials, 1 of them has been rescued from Iranian soil. What happened to the other crew member though? It is not clear yet.
What is survival, evasion, resistance and escape?
US military pilots are trained in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) for situations in which US military aircraft are shot down over enemy territory. The first step in this is to get out of the plane safely through parachute. After reaching the ground, the pilots have to find a safe place to escape from the enemy and tell their location to the American forces through the radio present in their kit.
After this, the American Army makes every possible effort to save the survivors. America’s Central Command deploys several task forces for search and rescue operations in areas around Iran, such as Iraq and Syria, so that if American warplanes are shot down, immediate action can be taken.
What are the chances of the pilot surviving?
In cases where someone is captured by the enemy or taken hostage, pilots have to use their resistance training to withstand extreme stress, interrogation, and possible torture. Iran’s vast and remote area may increase the possibility of pilots hiding. This will be beneficial if the pilots are in a dark area with more hiding places, such as dense forests and away from heavily populated areas. However, lack of food, water, injuries and being pursued by enemies can reduce a pilot’s chances of survival.
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