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Lilac Princesses experience SERE mission

Members of the Lilac Festival Royalty Court swim to a life raft during a water survival demonstration April 11, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. During the water survival demonstration, the princesses joined the SERE instructors in the pool. While in the pool, they learned how to escape a mock downed aircraft, known as the Modular Egress Training System, how to get to the life raft and how to survive in it. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Lilac Princesses experience SERE mission

Members of the Lilac Festival Royalty Court look out of a life raft during a water survival demonstration April 11, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. During the visit, the Princesses toured the 336th Training Group Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape school, observed a SERE water survival demonstration, learned basic water survival skills and watched a parachute jump demonstration. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Lilac Princesses experience SERE mission

Lilac princesses watch as two members from the 336th Training group parachute down during a demonstration April 11, 2016, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. During their visit, the Princesses observed a SERE water survival demonstration, learned basic water survival skills and watched a parachute jump demonstration. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous)

Lilac Princesses experience SERE mission

Published April 12, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Taylor Bourgeous
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 2016 Lilac Festival Royal Court received a tour of the 336th Training Group Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape school April 11 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.

The Princesses observed a SERE water survival demonstration, learned basic water survival skills, watched a parachute jump demonstration and received a mission brief from Col. Jonathan Duncan, 336th TRG commander.

During the water survival demonstration, the princesses joined the SERE instructors in the pool. While in the pool, they learned how to escape a mock downed aircraft, known as the Modular Egress Training System, how to get to the life raft and how to survive in it.

"I don't think we realized how much training and dedication goes into all the work that the Air Force does," said Tracei Scofield, Lilac Festival Vice President of Royalty. "We are eternally grateful for everything they do."

After the water survival demo, the princesses went out to see a parachute demo. They were able to see a UH-N1 Iroquois helicopter up close, as well as two different jumps: a standard jump and a free fall jump.

"This experience was really eye opening for us, because part of our Lilac Festival mission statement is honoring our military," said Megan, 2016 Lilac Festival Queen. "It is humbling to see and be exposed to these experiences at the base, be able to talk to the Airmen and to realize how important the base is to our community."