Description
<p>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. 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.</p>
Core Skills
- command and control systems operations
- airspace and mission management tools usage
- real-time decision making and prioritization
- tactical data link and communications management
- operations planning and coordination
- situational awareness and common operating picture management
- incident and event management
- technical and operational report writing
- briefing and presentation
- cross-domain coordination (air/ground/C2)
- team leadership and watchfloor management
- risk assessment and deconfliction
- training and standardization
Common Certifications
- FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) – Aviation Safety
- SMS (Safety Management Systems) Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP) (if in leadership/management roles)
- FAA Dispatcher Certificate
Civilian Career Paths
- IT MANAGEMENT
- NETWORK OPERATIONS
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- AVIATION MANAGEMENT
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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.