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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Loadmaster
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Question
QUESTION: I am a soon to be C-5 loadmaster, and I was just wondering if you could tell me about water survival training?
ANSWER: Josh -
I attended water survival school way back in 1981, so I can't speak about things that may have changed since then. When I attended, it was only a couple of days and was held in an indoor pool. It covered water egress from an aircraft, life preserver and life raft use, along with the equipment that is contained in the various life raft packs that are included with the life raft kit.
That's about all I can tell you. If you have any more specific quetions, I'd be glad to answer them.
Sincerely,
James Bell
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Did you get put in like a empty cockpit and put in the pool? Also what are the things you do in pow camp?
Josh -
In my particular case, we had a mock-up of a cabin, very similar to what you saw when the US Airways landed in the Hudson River in New York City. The mock-up sat on the side of the pool and we just jumped out the door.
The specific aspects of the POW camp are classified, and since I went through so long ago, I would imagine many aspects of the training have changed.
James
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Answers by Expert:
James Bell
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.
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