HOW THE PERSONAL EQUIPMENT/LIFE SUPPORT

 PROGRAM DEVELOPED

Reference:  AF Manual 64-4, dated Oct 1954

 

Before 1943 the United States Air Force had little need for a specialized survival training and personal equipment program. After 1943, however, personal, survival, and emergency equipment, as well as aircraft themselves, became diversified to such an extent that regulations were issued to accomplish an over-all program of supervision.

 

To effect this, the Air Force commands in the European Theater found it necessary to assign to each Air Force echelon one or more non-flying officers whose specific duty it was to monitor the handling of flying equipment. These officers assumed responsibility for the custody, maintenance, servicing and issuing of all items of personal equipment. They were also responsible for instructing aircrews and maintaining aircrew discipline in the use and care of personal equipment.

 

Several years after the war, mainly because of a MOS reduction, the survival training and personal equipment responsibilities were assigned to the air supply officer as a secondary duty.

 

However, because of the continuing development of new, complex equipment and more advanced emergency procedures, the survival training and personal equipment program was revived as a principal duty in 1951.  Individual commands were made responsible for the formation and administration of formal training courses for prospective survival training and personal equipment officers.

 

An airman's career field has meanwhile been approved by USAF Headquarters and has been implemented by AFR 35-492. This field consists of two ladders: para-rescue and survival training and personal equipment.

 

Thus the continuing development of the program now has its airmen technicians on one hand and officers in charge on the other. The program itself is increasing in importance, especially as a help to well-established flying safety programs.

 

Probably the biggest factor in the continuance of the program is the need for proper training and discipline on the part of aircrews and ground maintenance men in handling personal equipment. Naturally, shortcomings have existed in organizations, which have had no positive program.  During such times injuries and fatalities, resulting from aircraft crashes and ditching, have pointed directly to an uncontrolled survival training and personal equipment program.  Incidents have been reported in such cases where life rafts were found overdue for periodic inspection, and where life vests have incorrectly weighed CO2 cylinders. Also, survival equipment aboard aircraft had been insufficiently checked.  Crew training in survival and emergency procedures, such as ditching and crash landing was found generally inadequate and directly responsible for fatalities and serious injuries.

 

Such fatalities prove that the survival training and personal equipment program is of highest importance and would require specialized, formal training of personnel in the program.  Equally important is the proper screening of personnel being considered for on-the-job or formal training.  Previous training and experience gained through active participation in the Boy Scout outdoor training indicates interest in survival type activities.  Persons entering the program should have above average mechanical ability and, most important, physical fitness and an interest in this type of activity.