Fitness Center pool offers training opportunities
When a group of military personnel recently gathered at Meridian Community College,
they were all the same boat, literally.
Meridian Community College’s Damon Fitness Center natatorium features a six-lane, 25-meter pool and it’s there where some of participants of a water survival training class from of the 186th Air Refueling Wing of Key Field Air National Guard participated in a refresher session.
CMSgt Danny Weatherford said all aircrew complete an initial water survival training class when entering the military and later refresher sessions that include classroom academics and hands-on training. Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialists take this class roughly three times a year; it also must be taken periodically by aircrew member to maintain his or her flight status.
“This training provides aircrew with the most thorough water survival and rescue training possible to enhance their survivability, should they crash-land into waters around the globe,” Weatherford said.
He added, “What we do there is vital to the survivability of all aircrew, and the end result is greater mission success.”
Wade Heggie, Damon Fitness Center director, said the key for this training is to be able to work as a team and that local military agencies including Navy Search and Rescue, SEAL Training, Air Force Special OPPS, and Air National Guard have used the center for training.