Alpnach Air Field, Switzerland – 10-14 NOV 2025 – “Future of SERE”
From 10 to 14 November 2025, the Permanent Forum on Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Extraction (SERE) convened a high‑level, multi‑disciplinary gathering that brought together senior instructors, psychologists, and military and SERE School leaders from across Europe and beyond. The five‑day event, hosted by the Swiss Armed Forces (Swiss Air Force – SERE School), focused on shaping the next generation of SERE doctrine and training, with particular emphasis on Resistance techniques, Combat Recovery, and the development of dedicated SERE specialists.
Participants
- School Leadership & Senior Instructors – Representatives from national SERE schools and training centers presented current curricula and identified emerging gaps.
- Psychologists – Experts in trauma, resilience, and post‑capture reintegration contributed evidence‑based recommendations for Reintegration throughout the SERE continuum.
- NATO Air Command (AIRCOM) – Delegates supplied validated operational inputs, sharing recent lessons learned and highlighting the importance of interoperable procedures.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – As a neutral humanitarian organization, the ICRC underscored the ethical dimensions of modern conflict, addressing the humanisation of war, the treatment of prisoners of war, and added valid aspects in breakout‑session simulations
The success of the forum was made possible by the exemplary hospitality and logistical support of the host nation, especially by LtCol Tobias and his team, Swiss Air Force. Swiss Armed Forces personnel demonstrated exceptional professionalism, providing outstanding facilities, state‑of‑the‑art training venues, and seamless coordination throughout the event.
A visit to the AOC (Air Operations Centre) offered delegates first‑hand insight into Swiss Air‑Force capabilities. In addition, General R. IMOBERDORF visit to the group and his interesting and important words, reinforced the delegate’s confidence in the Swiss military’s commitment to excellence, interoperability and multinational partnership.
The forum concluded with a consensus that continued collaboration among SERE School leaders, operational commands, and humanitarian organisations is essential for advancing SERE doctrine. A follow‑up meeting is scheduled to take place in Hungary in 2026, where progress on the agreed‑upon initiatives will be reviewed and further refinements will be discussed..
“That others may live”
