MTV visits Fairchild

Published Nov. 20, 2008
By Senior Airman Jocelyn A. Ford
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- After months of planning, five crew members from MTV came to Fairchild Nov. 17 for a first hand glimpse of what the Air Force has to offer. MTV has a "how to" show that started as a mobile only idea. The show has celebrities from movies and television shows demonstrating how to do a variety of things through a step by step format. With the U.S. Air Force joining as a partner with MTV in October, the "How to" show has been able to broaden its scope to now include online.

During the planning process many different scenarios for the "How To Show" were discussed among MTV, the Air Force Recruiting Service and GSD&M Idea City (a marketing company employed by the Air Force), as to what the Air Force could offer the show. "Ultimately, we all agreed that the Fairchild base had the most educated group of people who would be able to provide unparalleled guidance throughout the different scenarios and shoots," said Theresa Piszczor, MTV Networks account executive.

Senior Airman David Janossy, 22nd Training Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist was given the chance to organize personnel, write scripts and work the logistics. "I'm very proud to have contributed to this effort," said Airman Janossy. "Showcasing our very unique skill sets of the 336th Training Squadron in combination with a new program produced by a cutting edge director like Rich Browd from MTV was an unbeatable opportunity." Airman Janossy continued by saying, "SERE gets to put its best foot forward to the public with help from world-class television professionals, and MTV gets an exciting program which educates their audience on some very useful outdoor emergency survival skills."

The MTV crew was accompanied by three members from the AFRS and two individuals from Idea City for their journey to Fairchild. Once everyone arrived they were escorted by SERE Specialists to the two locations to be used for filming and discuss the scheduling for the next two days.

Day two crew was picked up and brought to base to start filming, and then on to the back 40, open land on base used for field training. Once on site Airman 1st Class Tiffany Zaloudek, 22nd Training Squadron SERE Specialist, was placed in the spotlight. Airman Zaloudek explained and demonstrated how to survive when you find yourself stranded and in need of being rescued. She went through the steps starting with simply being prepared and staying calm. How to build a fire and attract the attention of the rescuer were also covered in her step by step instructions on how to survive a land based emergency.

"It was a great privilege to be chosen for the MTV 'How to Show,'" said Airman Zaloudek. "I understand they wanted to show a more diverse approach and having a female show survival techniques will hopefully give confidence to anyone, male or female, to be able to perform what we have shown. But again, I'm honored I was chosen to represent our career and abilities to the MTV viewers."

Airman Zaloudek walked away with a once in a life time experience. "I worked with some of the nicest professionals from MTV and Air Force Recruiting," said Airman Zaloudek. "They made it fun and extremely easy for me. I got to see behind the scenes of how production is run and I give them mad props for all that they do, especially listening to me repeat the same line six times in a row. I hope they were able to take away new knowledge as I did from them. I'm proud to be a part of this experience because this is a very rare opportunity."

On the final day of filming, one of MTV's own camera operators, Shawn Mattaro, attended SV-90-A, open water survival course required for all air crew Air Force wide. Mr. Mattaro was required to take the course for the purpose of filming from inside the underwater egress training dunker.

Senior Airman Ethan Jago, 66th Training Squadron SERE Specialist, was chosen to narrate the water survival episode. This episode demonstrates the steps involved to egress from a submerged vehicle safely.

"I helped write the script for the water survival," said Airman Jago. "It was definitely an experience seeing how long it takes to film something as simple as a three minute show."

After two full days of filming, MTV left with a new and more personal perspective of the Air Force. "This was an incredible opportunity that exposed me to just a glimpse of the many skills learned in the Air Force," said Sheree Shu, MTV producer. "As we will illustrate in the how-to spots, many of these skills are applicable to everyday life situations. It was an absolute pleasure working with all the individuals from the Air Force in making this happen and I look forward to working with them again."

It takes approximately four weeks from the time of filming to the time the two custom episodes featuring Fairchild Airmen will launch on MTV.com and MTV mobile. Fairchild's episodes are scheduled to launch the week of Dec. 15.

Rich Browd, MTV "How To Show" director leaves these parting words, "After many years at MTV I've never had the pleasure of directing such a cooperative and enthusiastic group of individuals. This experience is one that we will not soon forget. Thanks!"