survive, and extract someone from behind enemy lines. “You’re like, ‘Oh my God, I was in a fighter jet two minutes ago, flying 500 miles an hour, and a missile just exploded literally 15 feet from your head,’” said retired brigadier general Houston Cantwell, who is now with the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. That said, a pilot’s training known as survival, evasion, resistance, and escape would likely kick in before he or she parachutes to the ground.

“Your best view of where you may want to go or where you may want to avoid is while you’re coming down in your parachute,” Cantwell said. Cantwell logged 400 hours of combat flight experience, including missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. Parachuting to the ground carries a risk of foot, ankle, and leg injuries, the former airman explained.

“There are many stories of survivors from Vietnam who had severe injuries compound fractures just from the ejection,” he said. Upon landing, “take an inventory of yourself to figure out, what condition am I in? Can I even move? Am I mobile?” Aviators then assess their location whether they are behind enemy lines identify places to hide, and determine how to communicate.

“Try to avoid enemy capture for as long as you can,” Cantwell said. “And if I were in a desert environment, I’d want to try to find some water.” Simultaneously, Combat Search and Rescue  teams highly trained soldiers and pilots already on alert would be activated. “It gives you tremendous peace of mind knowing that they’re going to do everything they can to come get you,” Cantwell said. “At the same time, they’re not going to come on a suicide mission.” That’s where the missing crewmember can help increase the odds of a safe rescue. (Bssnews)