An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 8, 2006

Air Guard pilots train in escape, evasion

By 1st Lt. Tony Vincelli 124th Wing Public Affairs Office

IDAHO CITY, Idaho (AFPN) - A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the Idaho Air National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron ascended the mountains here Aug. 6 for a refresher on escaping the enemy and evading capture should they ever be shot down.

The training they hope they never have to use is important because, while the United States and most other countries continue to abide by the principles of the Geneva Convention, today's enemy does not, said Idaho Air National Guard A-10 pilot Maj. Tim Donnellan.

"Today's battlefield has changed," said Major Donnellan, who doubles as the squadron's training officer. "The traditional rules on treatment of prisoners of war won't always apply. We wanted to emphasize the philosophy of 'don't get caught.'"

More than 20 pilots and a dozen support personnel from nearby Gowen Field spent all or part of their Guard drill weekend training on survival, escape, resistance and evasion techniques.

Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Littrell, the squadron's life support superintendent who led the training program, split the pilots into groups of two and sent them off into the rugged mountain terrain of the Boise National Forest here with nothing but a Global Positioning Satellite unit and a compass.

Sergeant Littrell said the training wasn't designed to be easy. Pilots had to navigate their way to six different stations, some as far as a half mile apart, without being seen by the enemy, played in this scenario by intelligence specialists from the 124th Operations Support Flight.

All aircrew members are required to attend the U.S. Air Force Survival School at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., as part of their initial training. Pilots must complete refresher training like the 190th's at regular intervals throughout their career. Idaho's pilots have the benefit of conducting training in remote areas that are similar to parts of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 190th Fighter Squadron's pilots have experience flying in hostile environments. They were deployed to Kuwait in the spring of 2003 when Operation Iraqi Freedom began.

Although they have not been ordered to deploy, Idaho Air Guard pilots approach this and all training as if they could be called up at any time.

"We've been over there before, so we know how important this kind of training is. I think we all approached it with a sense of urgency today," Major Donnellan said.

 

 

Related Articles
(left to right) Capt. George Bouziden and Capt. Derek Teague takes the Oath of Commissioned Officers during their direct commissioning ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, July 30, 2025. The two officers received their commission through a U.S. Army Talent Innovation Division program designed to identify and bring in highly skilled civilian information technology professionals to strengthen the Army’s cyber capabilities.
Cyber Officers Join Oklahoma Guard Through Direct Commissioning Program
By Anthony Jones, | Aug. 1, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma National Guard welcomed two new officers into its ranks on Wednesday during a direct commissioning ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma.Capt. Derek Teague and Capt...

U.S. Air Force leaders from the 154th Air Expeditionary Wing pose for a photo during Talisman Sabre 25 in Northern Territory, Australia, July 24, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, which advances a safe and secure Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns.
Air Guard Demonstrates Critical Indo-Pacific Capabilities During Talisman Sabre 25
By Maj. Eve Derfelt, | July 31, 2025
BRISBANE, Queensland – Airmen from Hawaii, California, Guam, Idaho and Wisconsin Air National Guard units participated in Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s premier military exercise that underscored the U.S. Air National Guard's...

South Dakota National Guard Soldiers with members of the Surinamese Armed Forces during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18, 2025. Service members from the SAF and the SDNG spent ten days sharing critical skills in survival, navigation, and patrolling. This successful collaboration is a part of the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP).
South Dakota Guard, Suriname Armed Forces Strengthen Partnership
By Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell, | July 31, 2025
PARAMARIBO, Suriname – The South Dakota National Guard and Suriname Armed Forces, or SAF, strengthened their partnership during a first-of-its-kind jungle warfare exchange that concluded July 18.Service members from the SAF...