3636 Combat Crew Traning Group, Survival School

The 3636th Combat Crew Training Group, Survival School, was established by the United States Air Force in 1953 at Stead Air Force Base, Nevada. Its primary mission was to provide rigorous survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) training to aircrew members, preparing them for situations behind enemy lines. The group became renowned for developing specialized courses in arctic, desert, and jungle survival techniques. In 1966, the unit was redesignated as the 3636th Combat Crew Training Wing, solidifying its legacy as the cornerstone of USAF survival training until its relocation to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, in 1971.