Description
Air Support Officers plan, direct, and coordinate air support missions in support of MAGTF operations. Their efforts support the management of combat airspace and the delivery of kinetic and non-kinetic aviation fires in support of ground forces. They also coordinate air missions that require deep air support (DAS), electronic warfare (EW), aerial refueling and designated air reconnaissance (AR). They are also responsible for the planning, preparation, movement, emplacement and operation of air support equipment and tactical data systems. They are responsible for processing immediate requests for close air support, casualty evacuations and medical evacuations, integrating aviation with other supporting arms, and procedurally controlling aircraft throughout the MAGTF area of operations. Their efforts support the management of combat airspace and the delivery of kinetic and non-kinetic aviation fires in support of ground forces. They also coordinate air missions that require deep air support (DAS), electronic warfare (EW), aerial refueling and designated aerial reconnaissance (AR). They are also responsible for the planning, preparation, movement, emplacement and operation of air support equipment and tactical data systems. Air Support Officers normally work in the Direct Air Support Center or one of its subordinate elements which are co-located with the GCE when deployed. The Joint Air Operations Center Air Command and Control Course (JAOC2C) (F19L2W2); JT-101 Introduction to Multi Tactical Data Link Network Operations Course (JT-101 Intro to MTN OPS) (JKO); JT-102 Multi-TDL Advanced Joint Interoperability Course (JT-102 MAJIC) (A05L6Z1); JT-201 Multi-TDL Network Planners Course (A05KHY1); JT-220 Link-16 Unit Managers Course (JT-220 LUM) (A05A111); JT-301 Joint Interface Control Officers Course (JT-301 JICO)(A05FH21); Military Airspace Management Course (F0273D1); MAWTS-1 Air Command and Control Officers Course (ACCOC) (M1467Q1); MAWTS-1 ACE Battle-staff Officer Course (ABOC) (MTT); MAWTS-1 TACC University Course (MTT); MAWTS-1 Senior Watch Officer (SWO) Course (MTT); and the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course (M149731) are available as skills enhancement training for the Air Support Officer.
Core Skills
- airspace and air support mission planning
- command and control operations
- joint fires and targeting coordination
- electronic warfare integration awareness
- operational risk management
- tactical data link and C2 systems familiarity
- briefing and debriefing
- operations center management
- cross-functional coordination with ground and air units
- decision-making under pressure
- staff planning and orders development
- policy and procedure development
- situational awareness tools utilization
Common Certifications
- FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) (for air mission coordination roles)
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
Civilian Career Paths
- AVIATION MANAGEMENT
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- IT MANAGEMENT
- NETWORK OPERATIONS
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Data sourced from official Marine Corps publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.