New training program for navigators, EWOs begins soon

  • Published
  • By Jillian K. Speake
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  A new combat systems officer training program for Air Force navigators and electronic warfare officers begins here Sept. 30 with the 562nd and 563rd Flying Training Squadrons.

The new program responds to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper’s request to redesign the current training to produce an aviator skilled in advanced navigation systems, electronic warfare and weapons use.

“Currently, the navigator and electronic warfare officer pipeline is very similar to the way it’s been for a number of years,” said Maj. Jim Griffin, Air Education and Training Command’s electronic warfare program manager. “The problem is the duties of the navigator have been evolving, but the training hasn’t evolved to meet the navigator’s changing needs.”

Combat systems officer training will combine portions of navigator and electronic warfare training to give aviators a cross-flow capability between the two positions on combat aircraft.

“The dual training will give the Air Force a better overall aviator because he or she can speak to both navigator and electronic warfare issues,” said Lt. Col. George Trumbull, 563rd FTS commander. “Anyone who’s got a better understanding of both fields when going into combat is going to be more effective for the mission.”

Students trained under the new curriculum will see a difference in academics with a wider range of topics and focus on warfighting. Traditional electronic warfare candidates will see more navigational skills and systems integrations, and traditional navigator candidates will see more electronic warfare in their academic curriculum.

“There are a lot of things coming down the pipe that are new and exciting and are taking the Air Force in a little different direction as far as what a trained aviator should be,” said Lt. Col. Todd Zachary, 562nd FTS commander. “The whole concept of combat systems officer training is to make experts of air and space power (use) who will have all the tools of trade.”

Currently, navigators and electronic warfare officers train together for 90 days and then train for 82 days in their specialized career fields. Combat systems officer training will increase common training to 138 days before sending the aviators to either advanced navigator or electronic warfare training.

The new curriculum will also increase electronic warfare and weapons use training from 15 to 36 days.

“There’s not an aviator out there (who) doesn’t need electronic warfare knowledge,” Colonel Trumbull said. “It used to be that electronic warfare officers were always on those particular airplanes that flew in combat. Now all planes fly in some form of combat role, so it’s essential to make all aviators experts in how to avoid those threats.”

Students will also see more emphasis placed on leadership, decision making and mission management.

“There are changes in the focus of the program that are geared towards developing airmanship and situational awareness as opposed to the current procedural focus,” Major Griffin said. “We want students to be more involved in what’s going on, thinking through what needs to be done and reacting to the environment around them.”

Future plans for aviator training also include consolidating the training with the Navy in a single location, Major Griffin said.

“(The new training program) will be an interesting challenge, but we’re up for it,” Colonel Zachary said. “This is not the first time navigator school has changed curriculums to make a better product and have done it mid-stream. Our people are ready for the challenge.” (Courtesy of AETC News Service)