3613th Combat Crew Training Squadron (water survival school)

• Origins in the Cold War: The 3613th Combat Crew Training Squadron was established during the Cold War, reflecting the U.S. Air Force’s increased emphasis on survival training for aircrews operating in potentially hostile or remote environments. • Located at Homestead AFB: The squadron was based at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, capitalizing on the nearby Atlantic Ocean and Everglades for realistic water and jungle survival training. • Water Survival School: The unit operated the official Air Force Water Survival School, training thousands of pilots, navigators, and other aircrew members in surviving at sea after an ejection or crash. • Survival Training Techniques: Students learned to use one-man and multi-man life rafts, signal for rescue, purify water, catch fish, and fend off sharks, utilizing both classroom and open-water exercises. • Hurricane Andrew Impact: In 1992, Homestead AFB suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Andrew, leading to the squadron’s relocation and eventual inactivation. • Joint Training: The 3613th often hosted students from other military branches, NASA astronauts, and even foreign allied air forces, making it an internationally recognized center for water survival. • “Dunker” Training Device: One of the squadron’s signature training tools was the Modular Egress Training Simulator (METS) or “dunker,” which simulated a helicopter or aircraft crashing into water, requiring students to escape from a submerged cockpit. • Combat Rescue Emphasis: Many instructors were former rescue or Pararescue (PJ) personnel, blending survival skills with combat search and rescue tactics, greatly increasing the realism and effectiveness of the training. • Legacy in SERE Training: The 3613th’s water survival program became a foundation for the modern SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) curriculum used throughout the U.S. military. • Unit Motto: The squadron’s motto, “Knowledge, Skill, Confidence,” reflected its mission to instill not just technical know-how, but also the self-assurance necessary for aircrew to survive and return in the face of adversity.