Air Operations Officer

Are you a leader with strong organizational skills and an interest in mission planning and monitoring of air and space operations at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels? If so, this is for you! No experience required.

OVERVIEW

As a member of the military, Air Operations Officers command, control, and coordinate air and space forces in tactical, operational, and strategic environments. They are expert in planning, directing, and leading air and space operations, leveraging experience developed at tactical units and formations to integrate those effects in higher-level joint, combined, and pan-domain operations and campaigns. Typical employment areas include unit and wing operations and command positions, air and space operations centres, joint ops and plans, in RCAF and CAF strategic roles, and with allies and partners in standing and deployed C2 nodes and headquarters.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Air Operations Officers may be employed across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), though typically within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). They typically begin their careers in flying or space squadrons/wings to develop capability-specific awareness. Following this, they may branch out into other capabilities or bring their expertise to bear on operational and strategic operations. They may also be employed in force generation activities as diverse as project management and requirements capture and tracking.

Air Operations Officers work alongside officers of the other air operations occupations. They bring an outside view of the aircraft to RCAF operations to complement those who begin their RCAF journey from inside an aircraft. They may be employed around the world from anywhere where air and space operations are based. This includes headquarters, airfields, ships, or in the field with the Army. They provide expertise in rescue coordination centers, headquarters and project offices.

Basic Military Qualification

After enrolment, Air Operations Officers begin their career by successfully completing the Basic Military Officer Occupation Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 12 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Canadian Armed Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of the Basic Military Officer Occupation Qualification. This training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training and employment.

Following Basic Military Officer Qualification training, official second language training may be offered. Training could take from two to nine months to complete, depending on one’s second language ability.

Available Professional Training

Air Operations Officers attend Barker College in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Basic Air Operations Officer Course is currently under development and is expected to be approximately 18-20 weeks in duration.

This training will help prepare you for the roles and responsibilities of the Air Operations Officer. The course includes interactive lectures, guided exercises, practical exercises, demonstrations, distance learning, guided discussions, and guest lecturers. During this course, Air Operations Officers in training, will receive instruction and training in the following areas:

• Conduct of air operations communications;
• Planning of flight operations;
• Management of flight operations;
• Management of airfield operations;
• Coordination of Emergency Response Plans; and
• Management of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

Further training is required as an Air Operations Officer, including the successful completion of the Air Force Officer Development program and the Basic Space Operations Course.

Required Education

If you already have a university degree, the CAF will determine if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following Basic Military Officer Qualification training.

Serve Part Time with the Reserve Force

There are part-time options for Air Operations Officer as well. Reservists generally work part-time for a Air Reserve Flight or an integrated squadron at their local Wing. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to work or move to another unit, flight or squadron. They may also volunteer for deployment on an operational military mission within or outside Canada.

Reserve Force Training

Reservists train with their home Air Reserve Flight or Squadron to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required, in order to acquire specialized skills, arrangements will be made by their home Air Reserve Flight or Squadron.

It is also possible to set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to take courses leading to a university degree related to this job and, upon successful completion, be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of tuition and other mandatory costs. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed up to $2000.00 per year up to a maximum of four years/ $8000.00, as long as the student was a reservist during the entire duration of the course(s)

Reserve Working Environment

RCAF Reservists serve full-time while completing their occupation training and typically work up to 12 days per month at their home Air Reserve Flight or Squadron. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming an Air Operations Officer with the Air Force Reserve, visit: https://forces.ca/en/career/Air-Operations-Officer/.

Explore over 100 different career opportunities at www.forces.ca/en/careers.