DOD enlisted can earn college credit for command, control training at Hurlburt Field

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HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) --  The Air Force's only Air and Space Operations Center formal training unit recently earned the highest Community College of the Air Force compliance inspection rating for the second consecutive time since its 2004 inception.

The 505th Training Squadron here offers nine courses in which Defense Department command and control, or C2, enlisted service members can earn college credits through the CCAF. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines can request transcripts from the CCAF Registrar for their service college.

The formal training unit earned the rating based on the Principles of Accreditation from the Commission of Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The inspection included Hurlburt Field FTU training partners, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Mobility Operations School Detachment 1 and the U.S. Army Joint Support Team, officials said. Both organizations provide C2 facilities, instructors and courseware.

"Being able to offer college credit is an added benefit we work hard to provide the joint warfighters attending our courses," said Lt. Col. Emile Hazeur, the 505th TRS commander. "Our focus is expertly educating and training a world-class force of C2 warriors, however, offering credit hours to graduates enhances mission readiness, recruiting and retention."

Inspection criteria included commander's support, school liaison responsibilities, liaison reporting responsibilities, graduate reporting and records, instructor database responsibility, faculty status, course management and documentation and electronic faculty folders, officials said.

As a model for other schools, inspection team officials recommended the FTU represent Air Combat Command for Air University's CCAF Affiliated School Advisory Panel, they said. Officials noted the school's commitment to instructional technology, illustrated through the integration of eBooks and use of a commercial software application for graduate and supervisor feedback. The school's required annual report was extremely well written and set the CCAF standard, according to officials.

The FTU offers 14 courses, meeting the Air Force need to produce well-trained, educated and professional C2 warfighters prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly sophisticated, complex and expeditionary force, officials said. The CCAF-accredited courses are taught by 40 instructors providing 53 college credit semester hours.

The nine accredited courses are:

-- Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Technician Course, 5 credit hours

-- Combat Plans and Operations Technician Course, 4 credit hours

-- Network Administrator Course, 3 credit hours

-- Systems Administrator Course, 6 credit hours

-- Airspace Course, 9 credit hours

-- Interface Control Operator Course, 7 credit hours

-- Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell Course, 6 credit hours

-- Academic Instructor Course, 3 credit hours

-- Air Mobility Division Course, 10 credit hours

The 505th TRS is part of the 505th Command and Control Wing which was recently recommended by an independent study as an advanced C2 training campus location. The campus will consolidate and standardize formal air, space and cyber domains C2 training and help meet the Defense Department's Next Generation of Training Strategy, intended to foster a path for revolutionary training, officials said.

Airmen from the 505th CCW provide training and development of tactics, techniques and procedures for component numbered Air Force headquarters; testing and training of key C2 and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; and exercises for joint and coalition forces. During 2010, the wing trained more than 85,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and coalition forces.

(Courtesy of 505th Command and Control Wing Public Affairs)