User:Rabyc1/sandbox

A United States Air force Air Field Operations Officer (AFSC 13MX) are managed by Airfield Operations officers and work as a liaison between those requesting takeoff or landing of an aircraft at a base or runway. Many of their roles include communication with agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to ensure that all fight opperations are safe, efficient, and responcive to changes that may occur. Often, Air Field Operations Officers are tasked with advising commanders on the best use of an airfields assets, implement policies that improve Air Field Operations, lead Air Traffic Control operations, and occasionally provide technical support regarding airspace management equipment.

Requirements

 * Must be between the age of 18-39
 * If lacking prior military service commission, required to complete a nine-week Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, AL
 * Complete the Airfield Operations Officer Qualification Training Course (at Altus Air Force Base)
 * Accumulate at minimum 24 months of experience performing and managing Airfield Operations
 * Must be either a graduate of the Air Force Academy (AFA), graduate of an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program, or graduate of Officer Training School (OTS)
 * Have the ability and willingness to relocate
 * Maintain Ground-based Aircraft Controller Medical standards
 * Have applicable knowledge of Air Traffic Control procedures
 * Have applicable knowledge of Air Traffic Control principles
 * Know the capabilities, limitations, and the basic operating principles of various aircraft systems and technical components

Training
Those selected to become Air Field Operation Officers must first learn the fundamentals of air traffic control. First, if an officer lacks a prior military service commission, they are required to complete Officer Training School, a nine-week course at Maxwell AFB, AL. Then, they begin training tailor to the specific requirements of their assignment. Future Air Field Operations Officers first technical training requires graduating the standard fifteen-week training course at Keesler Air Force Base. Then, they must complete a forty-week Airfield Operations Officer Training Program at Altus Air Force Base. Included in this course, students are exposed to Air Force Specialty Code 13M as well as learning about the career field of Air Traffic Controller in general. Topics of the course include, but are not limited to air traffic and flight check orientations as regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an orientation to airfield management, an array of management topics, and students gain exposure to landing and deployed air traffic control systems. In addition to this, students gain air traffic control certifications in control tower and radar approach control facilities.

The graduates of this course now have the experience to save the airfield operations flight roles of either a systems or operations officer. To assume a flight commander position, officers must complete an additional eighteen months of upgrade training. Graduated officers of this program now become responsible for the oversight and management of either an airfield management office or a base air traffic control station.