Airborne Battle Management - 1A4X1

Mission
Tomorrow's battles will be won not just with superior firepower, but with superior battlefield information. Air battle managers are trained to manage this valuable information as Airborne Warning Command and Control Systems operators. They operate computerized airborne radar sensors and electronic countermeasure equipment, plus maintain communication nets with ground, air and sea surface units. They also gather, record, display, control and distribute information between ground, air and sea surface command and control units. Air battle managers are on flying status as an aircrew member and are required to fly with the aircraft as part of their duties.


Qualifications
Applicants must be eligible to receive a Secret security clearance and have a general score of 55 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and be able to lift more than 40 pounds. Individuals must also be physically qualified for aircrew duty, according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examination and Standards, Class III medical standards.

Training
Individuals enlist to become air battle managers undergo several technical training courses. These include the two-week Enlisted Aircrew Undergraduate Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the 17-day Combat Survival Training Course at Fairchild AFB, Wash., the four-day Water Survival-Parachuting Course at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and the eight-week Airborne Battle Management Systems Course at Keesler AFB, Miss.