BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY
OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 10-30
9 FEBRUARY 2012
Operations
PERSONNEL RECOVERY
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the ePublishing website at www.e-Publishing.af.mil
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication
OPR: AF/A3O-AS
Supersedes:
AFPD 10-30,
22 December 2006
Certified by: AF/A3/5
(Lt Gen Herbert J. Carlisle)
Pages: 8
National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 12, Annex 1; Title 10, United States Code,
Section 1501 and DOD Directive 3002.01E, Personnel Recovery in the Department of Defense,
require the Services to develop supportive Personnel Recovery (PR) policies, programs, and
capabilities. This Directive establishes the policy for a coordinated PR program within the Air
Force to support national and Combatant Commander objectives, and implements DoDD
3002.01E. Submit proposed changes to this Directive through functional channels to the office of
primary responsibility (OPR) using AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication.
Ensure that all records created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are
maintained in accordance with Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-363, Management of Records,
and disposed of in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule (RDS) located at
https://www.my.af.mil/afrims/afrims/afrims/rims.cfm. This publication applies to Air Force
Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) units. This publication requires the
collection and or maintenance of information protected by the Privacy Act (PA) of 1974. The
authorities to collect and or maintain the records prescribed in this publication are Title 37
United States Code, Section 301a and Executive Order 9397, NUMBERING SYSTEM FOR
FEDERAL ACCOUNTS RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PERSONS, November 22, 1943 and
Executive order 13478, October 31, 2008. Forms affected by the PA have an appropriate PA
statement. System of records notice F011 AF XO A Aviation Resource Management System
(ARMS) (December 2002, 67 FR 78777) applies.
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AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
This AFPD contains numerous changes including the addition of the Air Force policy to
establish a global Personnel Recovery (PR) Program previously listed under the responsibilities
section of this AFPD. The program will aid in preventing isolation and capture of personnel as
directed by NSPD-12. Further, it will prepare the force to survive, evade, resist and escape and
train Rescue Forces to execute the five PR tasks outlined in this document. Specific
responsibilities are outlined for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Public Affairs
(SAF/PA), the Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG), and Headquarters Air Education and
Training Command (HQ AETC).
1. Policy. Preserving the lives and well-being of Air Force military, civilian and DoD
contractor personnel placed in danger of being isolated, detained, captured or having to evade
while participating in a U.S. sponsored activity or mission is one of the highest priorities of the
Air Force. The Department of the Air Force has primary responsibility for recovering Air Force
personnel who become isolated in an uncertain or hostile environment. All Airmen (Air Force
military and civilian employees) and DoD Contractors deploying in support of Overseas
Contingency Operations must comprehend the Code of Conduct, and commanders and staffs
must ensure their personnel are prepared to respond to an isolating event, either as an isolated
person or as a member of a unit with a member that becomes isolated.
1.1. The Air Force will establish and implement a global Personnel Recovery (PR) program.
The PR mission area will aid in preventing isolation and capture, preparing the force to
survive, evade, resist and escape, as well as train rescue forces to execute the five PR tasks
(report, locate, support, recover and reintegrate), while continuing to adapt PR for continuous
improvement.
1.1.1. Prevention: The Air Force will fulfill prevention requirements as directed by
NSPD-12, Annex 1.
1.1.2. Preparation: All military Airmen personnel, as well as select DoD civilians and
contractors, fulfill an expeditionary role within the Air Force. The threats faced by
Airmen on today’s asymmetric battlefield create an environment where the enemy can
strike at any time or place and requires all Airmen (Air Force military and civilian
employees) and DoD Contractors deploying in support of Overseas Contingency
Operations receive the requisite training in the event of isolation or capture.
1.1.2.1. All deploying personnel must be trained, prepared, and equipped to
successfully survive, evade, resist, or escape from potential isolating events or
situations. As such, all deploying Airmen and contractors will receive, at a minimum,
initial and recurring Level A Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
Training. Additionally, all Airmen (Air Force military and civilian employees) and
DoD Contractors deploying in support of Overseas Contingency Operations will
prepare an Isolated Personnel Report in Personnel Recovery Mission Software
(PRMS).
1.1.2.2. The asymmetric nature of the modern battlefield also requires that our
warfighters and other personnel who are at greater risk of isolation or capture receive
additional training tailored to the nature of their operational role and the estimated
risk they may encounter.
AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
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1.1.2.3. Commanders and staffs must be educated and trained to plan and implement
the PR mission area. Seamless execution of rescue missions necessitates peacetime
integration of Air Operations Center and Joint Operations Center command and
control functions in concert with Rescue forces.
1.1.3. Plan: A focused PR effort requires the Air Force to plan operations with Joint,
Interagency and Multinational partners. Global and full spectrum rescue operations
should be preceded by Airmen working with host and partner Nations to build
partnership capacity. This enables the Air Force PR mission area to leverage partners
during military, civil and diplomatic PR engagements, and facilitates planning and
execution of rescue operations.
1.1.4. Execution: The Air Force PR architecture must be effective in reporting incidents,
locating, supporting, recovering, and reintegrating isolated personnel (IP).
1.1.4.1. Report: Unit, Command Post, and Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell
(PRCC) reporting procedures for overdue, missing, or isolated aircraft and personnel
must be developed to cover the range of military operations.
1.1.4.2. Locate: The PR mission focus requires actionable intelligence to locate IPs,
and a family of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, and
Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems to report IP location to airborne and ground
recovery forces.
1.1.4.3. Support: The support effort ensures the physical and psychological
sustainment of IP. This includes establishing two-way communications, aerial
resupply, and prepositioning of caches.
1.1.4.4. Recovery: The Air Force will maintain properly equipped, sufficiently
manned, and dedicated Rescue forces. This includes dedicated weapon systems
procured, sustained, and managed specifically for the Rescue mission.
1.1.4.5. Reintegration: The Air Force has a moral obligation to reintegrate its IPs and
assist other services as required. When such individuals are returned to United
States’ control, the Air Force will provide the appropriate and necessary measures to
accomplish a successful reintegration that effectively reintroduces the isolated
personnel back into society and ultimately returns the member back to service.
1.1.5. Adaptation: The PR mission area requires all personnel with PR equities to study
lessons learned and adapt operations and tactics, techniques and procedures to better
prepare rescue forces and to mitigate risk to recovery operations.
2. Roles and Responsibilities:
2.1. The Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans, and Requirements (AF/A3/5)
interprets and implements PR policy and shall:
2.1.1. Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to address personnel recovery
requirements for Air Force personnel at risk of becoming isolated and being exploited.
2.1.2. Provide oversight and approval of guidance pertaining to the minimum PR training
for all Airmen (Air Force military and civilian employees) and DoD Contractors
deploying in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, the training and employment
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AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
of rescue forces, and coordination of Mission Essential Tasks (MET) and measures to
meet PR validated requirements.
2.1.3. Ensure PR guidance complies with applicable DoD directives and instructions.
2.1.4. Ensure personnel recovery capabilities (facilities, equipment, training, and
personnel) are developed, programmed and budgeted to accommodate the PR
requirements of the Air Force.
2.1.5. Ensure guidance and procedures are in place to identify and track personnel who
have received Air Force PR training.
2.1.6. Maintain an effective roster and address list to for MAJCOM and Component
Numbered Air Forces PR office of primary responsibility contact to promote efficient
lines of communication.
2.1.7. Identify combatant command theater entry standards required for the Department
of the Air Force to provide the appropriate level of SERE training to Air Force military,
civilian, and contractor personnel identified as at risk of capture. Ensure guidance and
procedures are in place to identify and track personnel who are trained or experienced in
personnel recovery operations.
2.2. Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Public Affairs (SAF/PA) shall develop,
coordinate, and oversee the implementation of Public Affairs plans and guidance for
isolated/missing PR and reintegration events.
2.3. The Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG), in coordination with AF/A3/5, or designated
OPR, shall provide overall guidance and instruction on medical aspects of the reintegration
process and augment the medical facilities at designated locations, as required, to support
reintegration.
2.3.1. Develop requirements in coordination with AF/A3/5, or designated OPR, for Air
Force SERE Mental Health Assets to support Air Force reintegration programs and
USAF SERE formal training units.
2.3.2. Provide subject matter experts to assist in the requirement to identify, certify, and
train the appropriate number of SERE Mental Health Assets.
2.4. Headquarters Air Combat Command (HQ ACC), as the lead command for PR, will:
2.4.1. Advocate for PR strategic guidance through AF/A3/5, or designated OPR, when
determining Air Force Personnel Recovery requirements.
2.4.2. Advocate for adequate programming for acquisition of PR capabilities, such as
specialized PR survival equipment, life support equipment, C4ISR equipment; aircraft
and systems in aircraft, satellites, vehicles, and forces with PR applications.
2.4.3. Develop standards and guidance to for the interoperability of PR-related
equipment across the MAJCOMs and review Capability Development Documents to
ensure integration of PR capabilities into future acquisition programs.
2.4.4. Commander, ACC, will serve as the PR Core Function Lead Integrator for the
development of the PR Core Function Master Plan.
AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
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2.5. HQ AETC will coordinate with AF/A3/5, or designated OPR, to develop training
curriculum meeting DoD and CJCS standards to ensure PR training in AETC schools and
training locations meet warfighter requirements.
2.6. All MAJCOMs and Component-Numbered Air Forces will establish and designate a
command Personnel Recovery Office of Primary Responsibility to coordinate with AF/A3/5,
or designated OPR and lead command on implementation of applicable PR policy and
training of commanders and staffs and potential isolated personnel.
2.7. The Air Force Component Commanders of the Combatant Commands are responsible
for planning and executing Air Force PR operations supporting Air Force personnel within
their area of responsibility and shall establish and maintain an office of primary
responsibility for recovery operations, training, doctrine, support and execution. In addition,
they will identify requirements and shortfalls for Air Force PR capabilities within their
combatant command component and coordinate resource requirements through the
applicable MAJCOM/CC.
Michael B. Donley
Secretary of the Air Force
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AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
Attachment 1
GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION
References
Section 1501 of Title 10, USC, “Missing Persons Act” (para 6b)
DOD Directive 1300.7, Training and Education Measures Necessary to Support the Code of
Conduct, December 8, 2000
DOD Directive 3002.01E, Personnel Recovery in the Department of Defense, April 16, 2009
DOD Directive 5100.01 Functions of the Department of Defence and its Major Components,
December 21 2010
DOD Instruction 1300.21, Code of Conduct (CoC) Training and Education, January 8, 2001
DOD Instruction 1300.23, Isolated Personnel Training for DOD Civilian and Contractors,
August 20, 2003
DOD Instruction 2310.4, Repatriation of Prisoners of War (POW), Hostages, Peacetime
Government Detainees and other missing or Isolated Personnel, November 21, 2000
DOD Instruction 2310.5, Accounting for Missing Persons, January 31, 2000
DOD Instruction 2310.6, Non Conventional Assisted Recovery, October 13, 2000
DOD Instruction 3020.41, Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U.S. Armed
Forces, October 3, 2005
DOD Instruction 3003.01, DoD Support to Civil Search and Rescue (SAR), January 20, 2006
Joint Publication 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, April 12, 2001
Joint Publication 3-50, Personnel Recovery, January 5, 2007
CJCSI 1001.0, Joint Manpower and Personnel Program, December 28, 2004
CJCSI 3270.01E, Personnel Recovery, December 28, 2004
AFPD 10-4, Operations Planning: Air & Space Expeditionary Force (AEF), April 30, 2009
AFPD 16-12, Pararescue, July 1, 1998
AFPD 16-13, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape, March 1, 2000
AFPD 31-1, Integrated Defense, July 7, 2007
AFPD 90-1, Policy Formulation, August 8, 2003
AFDD 3-50, Personnel Recovery Operations, June 1, 2005
AFDD 3-05, Special Operations, December 16, 2005 IC 14 May 2010
AFI 10-401, Air Force Operations Planning and Execution, December 7, 2006
AFI 10-403, Deployment Planning and Execution, January 13, 2008
AFI 13-208, Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell Operating Procedures, March 10, 2007
AFI 16-1202, Pararescue Operations, Techniques, and Procedures, May 3, 2001
AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
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AFI 16-1202, Vol 1, Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer Training, March 29, 2007
AFI 16-1202, Vol 2, Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer Standardization and Evaluation,
February 11, 2008
AFI 16-1301, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Program, September 6, 2006
AFMAN 33-363, Management of Records, March 1, 2008
Air Force Records Information Management System, (AFRIMS)
Adopted Form.
AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AETC—-Air Education and Training Command
AFDD—-Air Force Doctrine Document
C4I—-Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence
C4ISR—- Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, and Reconnaissance
DoD—-Department of Defense
DoDD—-Department of Defense Directive
DoDI—-Department of Defense Instruction
HQ—-Headquarters
IP—-Isolated Personnel
MAJCOM—-Major Command
MET—-Mission Essential Task
NMS—-National Military Strategy
PR—-Personnel Recovery
PRMS—-Personnel Recovery Mission Software
PRCC—-Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell
ROMO—-Range of Military Operations
SERE—-Search, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape
USC—-United States Code
UJTL—-Universal Joint Task List
Terms
Mission Essential Tasks—Tasks deemed essential to mission accomplishment and defined
using the common language of the Universal Joint Task List (UJTL) in terms of tasks,
conditions, and standards. Service and interagency task lists augment the UJTL to provide a
comprehensive integrated menu of tasks, conditions, and standards which include measures of
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AFPD10-30 9 FEBRUARY 2012
effectiveness and their associated criteria of performance that support all levels of DoD in
executing the National Military Strategy (NMS) across the full Range of Military Operations
(ROMO).