USMC OFFICER

Unmanned Aircraft System Officer 7315

Unmanned Aircraft System Officer 7315

Photo by Lance Cpl. Gabrielle Sander

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Officer

Unmanned Aircraft System MAGTF Electronic Warfare Officers (UAS/MAGTF EWOs) employ a network enabled and digitally interoperable UAS, from a Ground Control Station, to provide aviation fires and support across the full spectrum of combat operations. UAS/MAGTF EWOs will advise supported commanders on matters pertaining to electromagnetic spectrum effects and integration; and provide information of intelligence value not readily available from normal sources. EWOs are the supported commander’s subject matter expert on Electromagnetic Spectrum Warfare tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Aircraft Maintenance Officer?

  1. Complete the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot Flight Screening

  2. Course at the USAF Air Education and Training Command in Pueblo, CO. Course length is 47 training days. This course is the first phase of Undergraduate Remotely Pilot Aircraft Training (URT), which screens and trains in basic flight skills and prepares students for entry into the RPA Instrument Qualification Course and includes: flying training to teach the principles, procedures, and techniques used in basic flying operations; ground training to supplement and reinforce flying training; orientation to military flight training; and screening of pilot candidates who do not have the mental and/or physical aptitude for rated duties.

  3. Complete the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Instrument Qualification (RIQ) Course at the USAF 558th Flight Training Squadron aboard Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in San Antonio, TX. Course length is 70 training days. The purpose of the course is to prepare students for entry in to the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Fundamentals Course. This is the second step in the URT pipeline and includes: academic training in the principles, procedures, and techniques used in operating aircraft; simulator training to teach basic principles of aircraft operations and USAF Instrument flying procedures; and officer development training to strengthen the graduate’s understanding of the role of the military Remote Pilot as an Officer and manager.

  4. Complete the RPA Fundamentals Course (RFC) at the USAF 558th Flight Training Squadron aboard Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in San Antonio, TX. Course length is 29 training days. The purpose of the course is to prepare graduates for RPA operations. This course provides academic training to teach the principles and tactical background used in operating unmanned aircraft systems. It also provides ground training to supplement and reinforce learned skills, and a capstone event.

Common first assignments

A typical first tour assignment for a UAS/MAGTF EWO is within an O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) command in a Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) as part of the ACE of the MAGTF. There is one VMU subordinate to one MAG within each active duty MAW as well as to 4th MAW as part of MARFORRES: VMU-1 aboard MCAS Yuma, AZ (3rd MAW); VMU-2 aboard MCAS Cherry Point, NC (2nd MAW); VMU-3 aboard MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI (1st MAW); and VMU-4 aboard MCB Camp Pendleton, CA (4th MAW). Each VMU equipped with both RQ-7B and RQ-21A Blackjack systems. Upon assignment to a VMU, UAS/MAGTF EWOs may serve as an unmanned aircraft commander (UAC) responsible for the overall conduct of assigned missions, ensuring that mission planning complies with the air tasking order (ATO) and supported unit requirements.

Recommended reading for Aircraft Maintenance Officer?

  • Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies that’ll Improve and/or Ruin Everything. Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith

  • Escape from Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West. Blaine Harden

  • The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder. Sean McFate

  • Swarm Troopers: How Small Drones will Conquer the World. David Hambling

  • Predator: The Remote-Control Air War over Iraq and Afghanistan. Matt J. Martin and Charles W. Sasser

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