Summary
Performs aircrew duties on numerous airborne platforms. Operates, maintains, repairs, and tests airborne communications, electro optical sensor, radar, computer, electronic protection (EP) systems, and electronic warfare (EW) systems.
Gathers, records, displays, and distributes mission information. Interprets computer generated displays and alarms and Fast Fourier Transform displays. Performs preflight, in-flight, and post flight duties. Supervises and instructs personnel in operation, maintenance, repair, and test procedures.
Establishes, manages, and supervises airborne mission system operation and directs aircrew training. Some missions require non-standard configurations and penetration into hostile/denied territories undetected utilizing night vision devices and terrain following procedures often in close proximity to other aircraft and operations on unprepared surfaces.
The hazardous mission and training environment demands high degrees of attention, focus, professionalism, knowledge, skill, discipline, coordination, and stress management to successfully and safely carry out.
Technical School
Days: 33
Locations: JBSA Lackland, Texas
Other Names
None
Bonus
4-Year Bonus: None
6-Year Bonus: $5,000
Badge
Enlisted Aircrew Badge
Duty Identifier
CEA Duty Identifier
Clearance
None
Open Aptitude Category
Electrical
AFSC Entry Requirements
Demographics
Males: 1501
Females: 214
Total: 1715
Community College of the Air Force Degree
Air and Space Operations Technology
CCAF Degree Plan
AFSC YouTube Videos
AFSC Reddit Posts
Duties and Responsibilities
Inspects and operates airborne communications, electro-optical sensor, radar, computers, EP, and EW systems. Plans, organizes, and coordinates mission activities and materials.
Determines aircraft status and coordinates link establishment and network connectivity information. Interprets computer-generated displays, data, and alarms, and takes appropriate switch actions.
Compares track positions with flight data and database files to determine track identification. Performs preflight, in-flight, and post flight inspections.
Performs initial power-on and testing of airborne communications, sensors, computers, and electronic systems. Establishes and maintains voice and data communications circuits/links.
Repairs and maintains airborne communications, radar, computers, and electronic systems. Operates aircraft emergency systems and equipment. Performs and supervises airborne equipment operations and maintenance.
Initializes, operates, monitors, tests, troubleshoots, isolates malfunctions, and repairs radio, audio distribution, switching, data, cryptologic, anti-jam, satellite communications, radar, identification friend or foe, recording and playback, multiplex, electronic warfare (EW), intercept, analysis, recording, broadcasting, imaging, computer, and network equipment (including ancillary equipment).
Monitors displays and indicators for equipment status using technical orders and manuals, test equipment, software diagnostics, voltage checks, resistance measurements, waveform observations, or other tests.
Installs, operates, and monitors special support systems. Performs aircraft interior and exterior scanner duties.
Monitors aircraft engine, propeller, hydraulic, pneumatic and flight controls systems from engine start through engine shutdown and reports abnormalities to the flight deck. Adheres to communication security (COMSEC) procedures.
Maintains status of air and ground activity. Coordinates with and supports other airborne and ground platforms in distributing and relaying operational target and identification data.
Monitors radio communications. Coordinates mission profile requirements with internal and external agencies.
Reacts to manual and computer-generated console situation and tabular displays to determine optimum airborne equipment settings. Evaluates airborne mission systems operation and maintenance activities.
Evaluates aircrew academic, simulation, in-flight performances, and systems capabilities, and recommends improvements. Coordinates with airborne, ground, and maritime agencies in distributing and relaying operational threat and identification data.
Receives, transmits, and relays encoded and decoded messages from ground command and control agencies. Determines data link requirements. Formats initialization data.
Conducts unconventional/conventional warfare and special operations missions to include close air support, armed interdiction, armed reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, and limited forward air control. Monitors radio communications.
Determines disposition and locations of hostile and/or friendly forces by studying available intelligence data. Positions the aircraft using sensor systems to detect, acquire, identify, and track enemy and/or friendly forces.
Establishes, supervises, and directs aircrew training. Develops and directs instruction in equipment operation and troubleshooting. Ensures standardized procedures are used to teach in-flight equipment operation, maintenance, and repair.
Determines need for specific instruction, and establishes training programs on airborne systems. Evaluates airborne mission systems operation and maintenance activities. Evaluates compliance with technical manuals, regulations, and work standards.
Serves on or directs airborne mission systems inspection teams to evaluate in-flight maintenance and operational programs. Interprets inspection reports and prescribes corrective actions.
Manages operating and maintenance functions. Maintains operational inspection and maintenance records and documents. Reviews unusual and difficult problems in operation and in-flight maintenance of equipment.
Recommends methods, techniques, and procedures to enhance maintenance and operational capabilities, and improve mission system options. Advises on mission systems operation and maintenance, and coordinates on research and development projects.
Specialty Qualifications
Knowledge is mandatory of:
- Electronics, active and passive sensor systems fundamentals, electro optical sensor theory and characteristics and limitation of airborne battle management, surveillance.
- Target detection, recognition, identification, and tracking capabilities.
- Computer-generated console situation and tabular displays, electronic generated data, ATO, SPINS, and fire support annex.
- Receiving, recording, and relaying operational threat data.
- Identification procedures and techniques.
- Computer, radio, radar theory including solid-state components, electronic principles, networking, digital techniques, basic software structure, principles of radio frequency (RF) as applied to basic radar, voice and data communication systems, digital data processing.
- General purpose computers and interface units.
- Interpreting technical orders, Air Force Instructions, schematics, and wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, worldwide communications, direction-finding, multiplex, data and voice procedures capabilities, limitations, operations, and functions of electronic test equipment.
- Binary, octal, and hexadecimal numbering systems, mission systems forms and reports software diagnostic routines.
- Maintaining airborne weapons systems and ancillary systems.
For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in physics, mathematics, and computer principles, typing, speech and English is desirable.
Training-
The following training is mandatory for the award of the AFSC indicated:
- Completion of the Aircrew Fundamentals Course (L3AQR1A311 01AB) is mandatory for pipeline and non-aviation service retraining students.
- Completion of the Airborne Mission Systems Operator Course (L3ABR1A331) is mandatory for award of the 3-skill level AFSC.
The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:
- 1A351. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1A331. Experience in operating and maintaining airborne communications, test, radar and electro-optical sensor systems, computer, and EP systems.
- 1A371. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1A351. Experience and qualification in advanced operations and maintenance of aircraft mission systems.
- 1A391. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1A371. Experience managing theoretical and advanced operations and maintenance of aircraft mission systems.
The following are mandatory as indicated:
For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, the following are mandatory:- Qualification for aviation service according to AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges.
- Normal depth perception as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
- Physical qualification for aircrew duty according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards, Class III medical standards.
- Must maintain eligibility to deploy and mobilize worldwide.
- Height in accordance with DAFMAN 48-123 and as directed in the current Medical Standards Directory Section T.
- Physical qualification for voice communications operations is mandatory.
- Completion and favorable adjudicated Tier 5 (T5) Investigation or equivalent IAW AFI 31- 501, Personnel Security Program Management, or T5R according to current USAF and DoD policy, is mandatory.
- Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems, or similar classified environments.
- Completion of a current T3 Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program.
- Must maintain local network access IAW AFMANs 17-1201, User Responsibilities and Guidance for Information Systems and 17-1301, Computer Security.
Civilian Career Options
High Salary: $115,640
Low Salary: $34,440
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians: $68,570
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
- Airfield Operations Specialists: $51,330
- Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
- Avionics Technicians: $67,840
- Broadcast Technicians: $43,570
- Computer Systems Analysts: $93,730
- Data Entry Keyers: $34,440
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $59,800
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
- Intelligence Analysts: $86,940
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators: $84,810
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists: $107,210
- Remote Sensing Technicians: $52,460
- Training and Development Managers: $115,640
***This information was retrieved from Veterans Job Matcher at CareerOneStop (www.careeronestop.org), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
Shreadouts
- 1A3X1A - C-32 / C-40
- 1A3X1D - C-37
- 1A3X1G - HC-130P/N
- 1A3X1H - EC-130J
- 1A3X1I - E-3
- 1A3X1J - E-4
- 1A3X1K - E-8
- 1A3X1L - EC-130H
- 1A3X1N - RC-135
- 1A3X1O - RQ-4
- 1A3X1T - MC-130P